Nikon Guide To Digital Photography

1
Contents
The
Guide to Digital Photography

with the
Product Documentation First Steps Basic Photography Advanced Photography Playback
COOLPIX 990
DIGITAL CAMERA
Electronic Edition
Camera Setup Connections Technical Notes
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to go
Product Documentation
Thank you for your purchase of a COOLPIX 990 digital camera. The documentation for this product includes the manuals listed below. Please be sure to read all instructions thoroughly to get the most from your camera. Fast Track Guide/For Your Safety In addition to taking first time users step-by-step through the process of setting up and using the camera, the printed Fast Track Guide gives a quick overview of camera settings. For Your Safety, printed on the reverse of the Fast Track Guide, lists warnings and cautions that should be observed when using and storing your camera, together with legal information. Please keep this document where all those who use the camera will read it. Menu Guide This printed guide provides an overview of the cameras menus. Guide to Digital Photography The Guide to Digital Photography (this manual, available in both electronic and printed formats) provides detailed information about your camera. The electronic edition features clickable links not available in the printed guide; otherwise the contents of the two manuals are identical. Both are divided into the following chapters:
First Steps Guides you step-by-step through the process of setting up your camera and taking your first photograph Basic Photography Introduces the shooting options available in A-REC mode, a point-and-shoot mode that gives you control over flash, focus, and image quality settings, while the camera automatically adjusts other settings for the best results Advanced Photography Details the shooting options available in M-REC mode, an advanced shooting mode that gives you complete control over camera settings Playback Explains how to view and delete the photographs stored in the cameras memory Camera Setup Details the options available in the SET-UP menus Connections Describes how to connect your camera to a television or computer Technical Notes Provides information on caring for your camera, camera accessories, specifications, and troubleshooting
To make it easier to find the information you need, the following symbols and conventions are used: About A table of contents appears on the first page of the electronic Guide to Digital Photography. In addition, each chapter begins with an outline of the topics covered. Click on the heading to open the guide to the indicated chapter or section. Click the icon at the bottom right corner of each page for an explanation of the symbols and conventions used in this manual. Click the icon at the bottom of each page for an explanation of how to use the camera menus. Click the icon at the bottom of each page for a quick overview of camera menus. Click the icon at the bottom of each page to view an illustration identifying camera parts. Blue text indicates a link to another part of the Guide to Digital Photography. To follow the link, click the blue text. Printing this manual
While this guide is also available in printed format, you may find it convenient to print portions of the electronic edition for ease of reference. The desired pages can be printed using the Print command in the Adobe Acrobat Reader File menu.
This icon marks cautions, information that you should read before use to prevent damage to your camera. This icon marks notes, information that you should read before using your camera. This icon marks tips, additional information you may find helpful when using your camera. This icon marks references to other documentation or to another part of this manual. This icon is used throughout these manuals to mark cross references to the Fast Track Guide. This icon is used throughout these manuals to mark cross references to For Your Safety. This icon is used throughout these manuals to mark cross references to the Guide to Digital Photography.
Life-Long Learning
As part of Nikons Life-Long Learning commitment to providing ongoing product support and education, a continuing set of new and updated information is always available on-line at www.nikon-euro.com. Please visit this site to keep up-to-date with the latest in product information, tips, FAQs, and general advice on the subjects of Digital Imaging and Photography.
First Steps
This chapter: Introduces you to the parts of the COOLPIX 990 and the camera menus Takes you step-by-step through the process of setting up your camera Outlines the steps involved in taking photographs and playing them back
First Steps
Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990 Putting Batteries in the Camera Inserting the Memory Card Choosing a Language Setting the Time and Date Taking a Photograph Playback and Deletion
Click
to go
Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

Take a few moments to familiarize yourself with camera con- the lens to be rotated through 270. For more information, see: trols, displays, and menus.
First Steps: Taking a Picture The lens section is attached to the camera body by a hinge that permits
First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990
MODE (FUNC 1) button Control panel MENU button MONITOR button
Shutter-release button Mode dial
USB/serial connector
DC-IN connector
Lens Viewfinder Built-in flash Red-eye reduction lamp
Exposure compensation (FUNC 2) button Command dial VIDEO OUT Memory-card slot Eyelet for camera strap Tripod socket Batterychamber cover Batterychamber latch
Photocell Connector for external flash Diopter-adjustment dial
Viewfinder eyepiece
Multi selector Zoom-in (Tele) button LCD Monitor Zoom-out (Wide) button Image-quality/ Size button Flash/Sensitivity (Thumbnail) button
Flash-ready lamp Autofocus lamp
Focus mode (Delete) button
Click
for more information
Control Panel
Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) indicator Shutter-speed/aperture display (press to switch between shutterspeed and aperture) Focus mode
Through the Viewfinder
Battery indicator Memory-card indicator White-balance indicator (FUNC. 1/ FUNC. 2) Exposure mode Image size
Metering mode
Manual focus indicator
Focus target (A-REC)/ Center focus area for manual or automatic AF area selection (M-REC)
Continuous
Flash mode
Exposure compensation indicator Exposure count display (shows number of exposures remaining)
Use this area to frame photographs at ranges of less than 90 cm (1 yd)
Image quality
Click
Use the diopter-adjustment dial to adjust viewfinder focus.
LCD Monitor
2 3 4 5 X2.0 NOV 6 25 NO 27 7 24 23 BSS 8 9 22 WB-L 28 29 ISO 21 AE-L 10 20 +0.7 GA 30 VGA 11 19 FINE 12 [ 10] P 1/60 F2.7 13 18 17 16 15 14 26
1 Zoom indicator 2 Digital zoom 3 Focus mode/manual focus distance 4 External flash indicator 5 Flash mode (built-in flash) 6 Battery indicator 7 Image sharpening 8 White-balance program 9 Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) 10 Image adjustment 11 Image size 12 Image quality 13 Number of exposures remaining at current settings 14 Exposure compensation 15 Aperture (f number) Shutter speed Exposure mode Metering mode Continuous (multi-shot) mode Exposure bracketing indicator Auto-exposure lock White-balance lock Best-shot selection Lens converter indicator Current folder User set number Self-timer indicator Auto-exposure target (spot metering) 29 Focus areas 30 Exposure display (manual exposure mode) 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Camera Menus Changes to some settings can be made with the help of menus that appear in the LCD monitor. Separate menus are available for each operating mode: Mode Menu Controls Basic camera setup (e.g., formatting memory cards, setting time and date). SET-UP menus for M-REC and PLAY accessible from SHOOTING and PLAY BACK menus respectively. Options available depend on operating mode. Advanced shooting options (e.g., white balance, metering)
A-REC, M-REC, PLAY
SET-UP
M-REC SHOOTING PLAY
PLAY BACK Playback options
Menu operations are performed with the multi selector, the MENU button, and the command dial, as described on the pages that follow.
Viewing the menus Press the MENU button to display the menu for the current mode.
WHITE BALANCE
1 2
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
The menu can be hidden by pressing the MENU button when is displayed in the lower left corner of the LCD monitor (to clear the M-REC menu from the monitor when MENU PAG E 2 is displayed as shown at left, press the MENU button twice: once to display the second page of the M-REC menu, the second time to clear the menu from the screen).
Making a selection Use the multi selector to make a selection.
1
1 2 S
METERING
2
1 2 S
METERING
A
Matrix Spot Center-Weighted Spot AF Area
3
1 2 S
METERING
A
Highlight menu item
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
Display options
A A
OF F
SELECT SET
MENU
Highlight option
A A
OF F
SELECT SET
MENU
4
1 2
METERING
S A Make selection MENU
PAG E 2
SELECT
SET
To go back one step, press the multi selector to the left. The selection for some menu options is made from a sub-menu. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to select the desired setting from the sub-menu. Changes to settings apply as soon as the selection is made. In M-REC mode, the view through the lens is visible behind the main menu. Photographs can be taken while the menu is displayed by pressing the shutter-release button. In A-REC mode, the view through the lens can be restored by half-pressing the shutter-release button. You can take a picture at any time by pressing the shutterrelease button all the way down. The A-REC menu will be restored when you remove your finger from the shutter-release button.
Using the command dial to make a selection A icon next to a menu item indicates that the command dial can be used instead of the multi selector to make a selection.
1
1 2 S
WHITE BALANCE
2
1 2 S
WHITE BALANCE
Stop when desired option is displayed
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
Rotate command dial
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
Changes to settings apply as soon as the selection is made. You can then make further changes to other settings as described above, or use the MENU button to clear the menu from the display.
Multi-page menus Use the multi selector to move between pages in the M-REC menu, or to access the SET-UP menu from the M-REC and playback menus.
Position cursor in main menu
WHITE BALANCE
1 2
2
1 2 S
SHOOTING MENU 1
3
1 2 S S
SHOOTING MENU 2
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
Highlight page tab
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
Highlight page number (S for SET-UP menu)
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
4
1 2 S S
USER SETTING
Display selected page
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
You can also go from Page 1 to Page 2 of the M-REC menu by pressing the MENU button once. The SET-UP menu for playback mode can also be accessed from the main playback menu. The SET-UP menu for M-REC can be accessed from the second page of the M-REC menu.
The A-REC Menu

Options NIKON
OPTIONS New Rename
NEW L M N I K O N RENAME Q R S T U
DELETE
10
Delete
O P
O W
Brightness Hue
SET-UP
RENAME NOV SHOW

DELETE
Folders Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format S Date MENU OF F SELECT
BRIGHTNESS
NOV SHOW
ON OFF
SHOW deleting folder? No Yes
SET
3 1 5 3 0S M M 0M
HUE
ON OFF Reset
DATE Y M D
CF CARD FORMAT WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format
2000 . 01 . 01 00 : 00
Click
The M-REC Menu, Page 1

WHITE BALANCE
The M-REC Menu, Page 2

WHITE BALANCE PRESET
11
A Auto
White Bal Preset hite et Fine Incandescent Fluorescent Cloudy loudy Speedlight
USER SETTING
OFF ON Reset EXPOSURE OPTIONS AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp +/
OFF ON
Cancel Measure
RESET ALL Reset all settings to default values?
WHITE BALANCE
METERING Matrix Spot Center-Weight ed Spot AF Area

CONTINUOUS Single Continuous Multi-shot 16 VGA Sequence Ultra HS Movie
No Reset
+ 0.3
USER SETTING 1
0.3 0
1 2
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Auto Manual Off
BSS OFF ON
IMAGE SHARPENING A Auto High Normal Low Off
IMAGE ADJUSTMENT A Auto 0 Normal More Contrast Less Contrast Lighten Image Darken Image Black&White
LENS Normal Wide Adapter Telephoto 1 Telephoto 2 Fisheye 1 Fisheye 2
FOCUS OPTIONS AF Area Mode Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation Distance Units
Continuous AF Single AF
MF ON OFF
+ 0.3
0 0.3
m ft ON OFF
ZOOM OPTIONS Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture Last Position Wide Tele
SPEEDLIGHT OPT. Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl
Int & Ext Active Int Flash ble Power Off
Click
OFF ON
The M-REC Set-up Menu

NEW L M N O P I K O N
Options NIKON
BRIGHTNESS
Display Mode Brightness Hue
DISPLAY MODE ON Review Only Preview Only Monitor Off
Click
12
HUE
SET-UP
RENAME NOV SHOW

RENAME Q R S T U
DELETE
OPTIONS New Rename Delete

DELETE
Folders Monitor Options Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format
MEMORIZE Mode
Memorize Func.1 Func.2
Done
FUNC. 1 Mode
O W
NOV SHOW
Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language
3 1 5 3
0S M M 0M
White Balance Metering FUNC. 2 Mode
NTSC PAL
D E F J
ON OFF
ON OFF Reset
White Balance Metering
ON OFF
DATE
CF CARD FORMAT
D
2000 . 01 . 01 00 : 00
WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format
The Playback Menu

DELETE
ERASE ALL IMAGES
The Playback Set-up Menu

Brightness Hue
BRIGHTNESS
13
Erasing all images ( excluded) No Yes

DELETE
DELETE Selected Images All Images Folder Print Set
HUE
NOV SHOW
ON OFF
SET-UP
PLAY BACK MENU
FOLDERS Options
Delete Folders Slide Show Protect Hide Image Print Set S S Set-up MENU OF F SELECT 1
OPTIONS New Rename
All Folders NIKON NOV
Delete
Monitor Options 1 Shutter Sound Auto Off CF Card Format Date Video Mode S Language MENU OF F SELECT
3 1 5 3
SET
0S M M 0M
CF CARD FORMAT
SET
SLIDE SHOW Start Frame Intvl (Pause )
WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format
PRINT
PROTECT
D E F J
PRINT SET
HIDE IMAGE
NTSC PAL
Y
DATE M D
2000 . 01 . 01 00 : 00
Done Info Date
Click
Putting Batteries in the Camera
4 Close and latch the battery-chamber cover

Close the battery-chamber cover and, keeping the cover held firmly closed by pressing it where labeled wPush, return the latch to the locked position ( ). To prevent the batteries from falling out of the camera during operation, confirm that the cover is latched.
14
First Steps: Putting Batteries in the Camera
1 Turn the camera off

Turn the mode dial to the off position. If the camera is on a tripod, remove the tripod before proceeding to the next step.
5 Check the battery level

Turn the mode dial to A-REC and check the battery level in the control panel.
2 Open the battery-chamber cover

Firmly pressing the button in the center of the latch, slide the latch to the open position ( ), then open the battery-chamber cover as shown at right.
3 Insert the batteries

Insert four LR6 (AA) batteries with the + and poles oriented as shown in the label inside of the battery-chamber cover.
Batteries fully charged Low battery Replace the batteries as soon as possible. Batteries exhausted No photographs can be taken until the batteries have been replaced.
The batteries can be removed without affecting photographs stored on the cameras memory card. All M-REC settings except date and language will, however, be reset. The cameras clock-calendar is powered by a separate rechargeable battery. When you put batteries in your camera for the first time or after a long period of storage, wait a few hours for the clock battery to recharge before removing the main batteries.
For more information on:

Battery types approved for use in your camera Safe storage and handling of batteries
Extending battery life

While alkaline batteries are suitable for use in the COOLPIX 990, battery life can be extended by using high-capacity lithium or nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) batteries. The following techniques can be used to extend battery life: Turn the LCD monitor off whenever possible (see right). Turning the monitor off eliminates the single biggest draw on battery power. If the batteries become exhausted, try turning the camera off and warming the batteries gently, for example in an inside pocket. The batteries may recover sufficient charge for a few extra shots with the monitor turned off. Use the AC adapter (available separately) when the camera is connected to a computer, when playing images back, or when using the slide-show option. In M-REC mode, power consumption is also affected by the options in the FOCUS OPTIONS > Autofocus Mode and the SET-UP > Monitor Options > Display Mode sub-menus (see table below).
The MONITOR button

The MONITOR button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button to cycle through monitor settings as shown below. Monitor on, settings hidden Press Monitor on, settings displayed Monitor off Press
15
First Steps: Putting Batteries in the Camera
Press
Display mode
Autofocus mode Continuous AF
Power consumption High For more information on: Low

Connecting to a computer Playback Autofocus mode Focus options Display mode
On/Preview Only Single AF Review Only Monitor Off N.A.* N.A.*
* Single autofocus is used while Review Only or Monitor Off are in effect.
Inserting the Memory Card
Formatting memory cards

Memory cards must be formatted for use in the COOLPIX 990 before they can be used. To format the memory card:
16
First Steps: Inserting the Memory Card

Turn the mode dial to the off position.
SET-UP
2 Insert the memory card

Open the card-slot cover (1) and insert the card (2) oriented as shown in the v INSERT label on the underside of the cover, sliding it in until it is firmly in place at the back of the slot and the eject button pops up (3).
Select A-REC Press
SET-UP
A-REC setup menu displayed
SET
Close the card-slot cover Fold the eject button back into position (4) and close the card-slot cover (5). If the button is not folded over when the cover is closed, closing the cover may partially eject the card, causing errors in recording photographs or during playback.
Highlight CF Card Format
SET
Press
5
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Confirmation dialog displayed. Press multi selector down to highlight Format, then press to right to format card. Do not turn camera off or remove card until FORMATTING message has disappeared from display. All data on card will be permanently deleted.
Removing memory cards

Memory cards can be removed without loss of data when the camera is off. To remove memory cards, turn the camera off and open the card-slot cover. Stand the eject button up (6) and press it down (7) to eject the card.

Safe handling of memory cards Approved memory cards Reading memory cards with a computer
Choosing a Language
The language in which menus and messages are displayed can be set using the Language sub-menu.
4 Choose a language from the Language sub-menu A

SET-UP
17
1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY 2 Press the MENU button

The playback menu will be displayed (the appearance of the menu will vary depending on the language currently selected).
PLAY BACK MENU
Highlight Language
Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off CF Card Format Date Video Mode S Language MENU OF F SELECT 1
First Steps: Choosing a Language
SET
LANGUAGE
Press
SET
D E F J
SET
3 Display the SET-UP menu A

LANGUAGE
PLAY BACK MENU
Highlight option
SET
D
D E F J
SET
Press
Highlight Set-up
SET-UP
Press
The languages available in the Language sub-menu are: D German (Deutsch) E English F French (Franais) J Japanese
SET
Setting the Time and Date
4 Display the DATE menu A

1
18
SET-UP
1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY 2 Press the MENU button

The playback menu will be displayed.
PLAY BACK MENU
Highlight Date
Monitor Options Shutter Sound Auto Off CF Card Format Date Video Mode S Language MENU OF F SELECT
First Steps: Setting the Time and Date
SET
B
1 Y
SET
DATE
2000 . 01 . 01 S 00 : 00
3 Display the SET-UP menu A

Press
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
PLAY BACK MENU
Highlight Set-up
SET
SET-UP
Press
Any photographs taken before the time and date have been set will have a time stamp of 2000/01/01 0:00. Until you have set the time and date, a flashing clock icon will be displayed in the top right corner of the LCD monitor when the camera is set to A-REC or M-REC.
SET
The clock-calendar is powered by a separate, rechargeable battery, which is charged as necessary when the main batteries are installed. If the camera has been stored with the main batteries removed for a long period of time, the clock may need to be reset. Once the main batteries have been reinserted, the clock battery will recharge in several hours, during which time the batteries should be left in the camera.
5 Set the time and date using the multi selector A

DATE
6 Exit the DATE menu

To set the time and date to the values displayed, highlight Y M D and press the multi selector to the right.
DATE
19
First Steps: Setting the Time and Date
2000 . 01 . 01 S 00 : 00
1
SET
Highlight desired item
MENU
OF F
SELECT
2000 . 04 . 24 S 20 : 16
B
1 Y S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
DATE
2000 . 02 . 01 00 : 00
To exit without changing the time and date, press the MENU button.
Edit selected item
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
To change the order in which the year, month, and day are displayed, highlight Y M D and press the multi selector up or down to cycle through settings in the following order: YMD DMY MDY
Taking a Photograph
The COOLPIX 990 offers two shooting modes, A-REC and M-REC. In A-REC, the majority of camera settings are controlled by the camera in response to lighting conditions and focus distance, producing the best possible results. M-REC allows you greater control over such settings as shutter speed, aperture, and white balance.
In
you can control
the camera controls Shutter speed Aperture Focus distance (in autofocus and macroclose-up modes) Exposure metering White balance Contrast Sharpness Depending on the exposure mode selected, the camera can control any or all of shutter speed, aperture, and focus distance in response to other settings made by the user
20
Optical and digital zoom Flash settings Focus mode (autofocus, macroA-REC close-up, infinity, selftimer) Image size and quality Exposure compensation All settings listed above, as well as: Focus area Focus distance (manual focus) Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) M-REC Advance rate (single frame, continuous, video) Best-shot selection for sharper, clearer photographs Other settings
First Steps:Taking a Photograph
This section outlines the basic steps involved in taking a photograph in A-REC mode.
3 Check the number of exposures remaining

The control panel and LCD monitor show the number of exposures remaining at current settings for image quality and size.
21
1 Remove the lens cap

Remove the lens cap as shown below.
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10 ]
Number of exposures remaining
Lift latch and remove cap
2 Turn the mode dial to A-REC

After a short pause, a beep will sound and current settings will be displayed in the LCD monitor and the control panel.
When this number reaches zero, you will need to insert a new memory card or delete some pictures before you will be able to take more photographs. It may be possible to record more photographs at a different image quality or size.
The MONITOR button

The monitor button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button to cycle through monitor settings as shown below. Monitor on, settings hidden Press Monitor on, settings displayed Monitor off Press
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]

Deleting photographs Image quality and size
Press
4 Adjust camera settings

When the mode dial is turned to A-REC, the following settings will return to their default values: Setting Flash mode Default Auto Description Flash fires automatically when lighting is poor
Before taking a photograph, you can make changes to these settings using the camera buttons and command dial. Button Operation Controls Flash mode Press Focus mode Press Autofocus Image quality FINE Press NORMAL BASIC Image size Press while turning command dial Full XGA VGA 3 : 2 Exposure compensation (2.0 EV to +2.0 EV in increments of 0.3 EV)
22
Focus mode
Camera focuses automatiAutofocus cally at distances over 30 cm (1 ft) Normal* Photographs compressed for best balance between file size and image quality Photographs are 2048 1536 pixels in size No exposure compensation performed
Image quality
Image size Exposure compensation

*
Full
0 EV
These settings apply the first time you turn the camera on. Image quality and size are not restored to default settings the next time the mode dial is turned to A-REC (an image-quality setting of HI becomes FINE in A-REC).

Using the flash Focus mode Image quality and size Exposure compensation
Press while turning command dial
The icons shown above are displayed in the control panel.
5 Ready the camera

To reduce blurring caused by camera shake, hold the camera firmly in both hands. Photographs can be framed in the LCD monitor (A) or the viewfinder (B).
Frame photographs in the monitor when: you are using macro close-up you are using digital zoom you are using a lens converter image size is set to 3 : 2 you want direct confirmation of camera settings or the view through the lens Frame photographs in the viewfinder when: you want to save power by turning the monitor off bright ambient lighting conditions make it difficult to see the display in the monitor
23
When framing photographs in the viewfinder at ranges of 90 cm (1 yd) or less, use the smaller of the two frames in the viewfinder display (the area shaded in purple in the illustration at right).
Keep your fingers and other objects away from the lens and flash window when taking photographs.
When framing photographs in the LCD monitor, you can take advantage of the rotating lens section to hold the camera at almost any angle. You can even rotate the lens to point at yourself and frame self-portraits in the monitor, as shown below (in this case, all indicators are hidden and the monitor shows a mirror image of what will appear in the final photograph).
6 Select your subject

Frame the photograph using the zoom buttons. Button Operation Function Zoom camera out (zoom position shown in LCD monitor) Press
NORMAL [ 10]
24
P 1/60 F2.7
Zoom camera in
Press
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
Enter digital zoom mode

X2.0

Macro close-up Optical and digital zoom Lens converters Image size
Hold for 2 sec. at maximum optical zoom position
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
Digital zoom ratio can be adjusted using and buttons. Press button at minimum digital zoom ratio to return to optical zoom.
7 Focus
In A-REC, the camera focuses on the center of the frame, shown by the focus target in the viewfinder. Before taking a photograph, press the shutter-release button halfway to initiate autofocus, and check the status of the autofocus lamp (green) and the flash lamp (red) next to the viewfinder. Lamp Glows steadily Meaning Subject in focus
8 Take the photograph

To take a photograph, press the shutterrelease button all the way down. A beep will sound to let you know that a photograph has been taken, and the green AF lamp will blink slowly while the image is saved to the memory card.
25
AF lamp Flash lamp
Flashes rapidly Camera unable to focus using autofocus. Use focus lock to focus on another subject at same distance, then recompose photograph. Glows steadily Flash will fire when photograph is taken Blinks Flash charging. Remove finger briefly from shutter-release button, then try again. Flash not required or flash set to off

Autofocus
Off
Focus lock Focus area Using the flash
9 Check the results

After a photograph has been taken, the autofocus lamp will blink and an hourglass icon ( ) will be displayed in the LCD monitor while the photograph is recorded. Before the photograph is transferred to the memory card, it will be displayed briefly in the LCD monitor.

When you have finished using the camera, be sure to turn the mode dial to OFF. To avoid wasting batteries, check that the camera is off before putting it away.
26
11 Replace the lens cap

Replace the lens cap as shown below.
Press to delete photograph
Press to pause display for 20 sec. Press again to record photograph, or press ( ) to delete as shown at left. Photograph recorded automatically after 20 sec.
Lift latch and replace cap
DELETE
erase images? No Yes

MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Delete dialog displayed. Press multi selector up or down to highlight option, press to right to select. Select Yes to delete photograph Select No to save photograph and return to shooting mode
While photographs are being recorded to the memory card, the autofocus lamp will blink. Do not eject the memory card, remove the batteries, or unplug the AC adapter (available separately) until the lamp has stopped blinking. Removing the card or cutting power while recording is in progress could result in loss of data.
Playback and Deletion

Photographs stored on the memory card can be played back for review or deletion.
Single-image playback Button Operation Function
27
First Steps: Playback and Deletion
1 Turn the mode dial to PLAY

The most recent photograph in memory will be displayed in the LCD monitor.
2000.04.25 14:20 100NIKON 0005.JPG
Rotate
View additional information on current photo
View other photographs in memory one Press up or left to at a time (hold down view earlier images, to scroll rapidly to down or right to desired frame number) view later images Zoom in on current photograph (use multi selector to view other areas of image) Cancel zoom Press Select current photo for deletion Start or stop movie playback
NORMAL
5/5]
Press
The MONITOR button

The monitor button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button to cycle through monitor settings as shown below. Monitor on, photo info hidden Press Monitor on, photo info displayed Monitor off Press
Press
Press
Press
Thumbnail playback Button Operation Function Press once to display menu of nine thumbnail images, twice to display four thumbnail images, a third time to return to single-image playback Scroll through thumbnails page by page Highlight thumbnail. Use ( ) button to view highlighted thumbnail at full size. Select highlighted thumbnail for deletion
Deleting photographs
Single-image playback 2000.04.25 100NIKON 100NIKON 14:20 0005.JPG Thumbnail playback
28
First Steps: Playback and Deletion
Press
NORMAL
5/5]
Rotate
Press
( button
Press up, left, down, or right
DELETE
Press

MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Delete dialog displayed. Press multi selector up or down to highlight option, press to right to select. Select Yes to delete photograph Select No to save photograph and return to shooting mode
Basic Photography
This chapter covers operations that can be performed using the cameras dials and buttons in A-REC mode. A-REC mode is a simple, point-and-shoot mode in which the majority of settings are made automatically by the camera to produce the best results. The user controls the following settings directly by means of the cameras buttons and dials: optical and digital zoom flash settings focus-mode settings image quality and size exposure compensation In addition, you can also perform the following operations in A-REC mode: focus lock delay shutter release using the self-timer review and delete photographs as they are taken
These topics are covered in the sections that follow.
29
Basic Photography
Optical and Digital Zoom Using the Flash Focus Using the Self-Timer Image Quality and Size Exposure Compensation Reviewing Photographs
Click
to go
Digital Zoom At the maximum optical zoom position, holding the butThe COOLPIX 990 is equipped with motor-driven, 3 optical ton down for two seconds triggers digital zoom. zoom linked to the viewfinder. By changing the area visible in Maximum optical Zoom factor displayed the viewfinder (the field of view), zoom helps you establish zoom position in LCD monitor the right balance between subject and background. A wide X2.0 field of view is suitable for group portraits or landscapes, a narrow field of view for close-ups or long-range photography. Digital zoom can be used to further enlarge photographs elecHold for two NORMAL NORMAL [ 10] [ 10] seconds P 1/60 F2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 tronically by up to 4.0. Note that zooming in on a subject AF lamp blinks slowly tends to decrease the amount of light entering the camera, to show that photos resulting in slower shutter speeds, while simultaneously decan not be accurately creasing the apparent distance between the subject and the framed in viewfinder background. Zooming out has the opposite effect. While digital zoom is in effect, the zoom factor increases each Optical Zoom time the button is pressed, to a maximum of 4.0. PressPhotos can be framed in the viewfinder or LCD monitor using ing the button decreases the zoom factor. To restore opthe zoom buttons. tical zoom, press the button until the digital zoom indicator disappears.
Optical and Digital Zoom
30
Basic Photography: Optical and Digital Zoom
Zoom out Zoom in

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Indicator in LCD monitor displays amount of zoom while either button is pressed
NORMAL [ 10]
Digital zoom
In digital zoom, image data from the CCD are processed digitally, enlarging the center portion of the image to fill the frame. Unlike optical zoom, digital zoom does not increase the amount of detail visible in the photograph. Instead, details visible at maximum zoom are enlarged, producing a slightly grainy image. Because only the center portion of the image appears in the final photograph, center-weighted metering is used, and the center focus area is automatically selected. Digital zoom can not be used when Black & White is chosen in the M-REC IMAGE ADJUSTMENT sub-menu. The effects of digital zoom are not visible in the viewfinder. Digital zoom is only available when the LCD monitor is on or the camera is connected to a television set.
Using the Flash

The flash settings can be changed in A-REC and M-REC modes using the button.
Confirm flash setting in control panel or LCD monitor (setting not displayed in monitor when flash set to auto)
NORMAL [ 10]
31
Basic Photography: Using the Flash
Press
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
The following flash settings are available: Setting Auto How it works Flash fires when lighting is poor When to use it Best for general use

Initial zoom position Digital zoom settings Zoom aperture Metering Focus area selection Image adjustment
Use where flash is prohibFlash will not fire ited or to capture natural even when lighting lighting under dim light Flash is poor (use of tripod advised Cancel (off) when lighting is poor)
Setting
How it works
When to use it
When lighting is poor and the flash is set to Off ( ) or Slow Sync ( ), shutter speed slows and photos may be blurred. If possible, use a tripod when lighting is poor. At speeds of below 1/4 sec., the shutter speed indicator in the LCD monitor turns yellow. Noise may appear in photographs taken at speeds slower than this value. The built-in flash will automatically be set to Off ( ) when: you use autofocus with a setting of Infinity ( ) you choose a multi-shot setting of Continuous, Multi-shot 16, VGA Sequence, or Ultra HS (an external flash can still be used with these settings) you choose a multi-shot setting of Movie you use best-shot selection (BSS) you use lens converter (LENS) settings the AE Lock option in the EXPOSURE OPTIONS sub-menu is on When using the flash, be sure the flash window is unobstructed.
32
Pre-flash lamp fires Use for portraits (works before main flash best when subjects are Auto with to minimize red- well within range of flash eye caused by red-eye and are looking directly at flash reflecting reduction camera) from retina Anytime Flash (fill flash) Slow synchronized Flash fires whenever photo is taken Auto flash combined with low shutter speed Use to fill-in (illuminate) back-lit subjects Use to capture both subject and background at night or under low light conditions
Basic Photography: Using the Flash

Safe flash use Focus mode Multi-shot settings Best-shot selection Lens converter settings A short pause is required between exposures for the flash system to charge. While the flash is charging, the red flash lamp next to the viewfinder will blink when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Try again after briefly removing your finger from the shutter-release button. Exposure options Flash exposure level Using an external flash
Focus
A-REC offers a choice of three autofocus settings, plus a selftimer mode. Focus mode can be set in A-REC or M-REC using the button.
Focus mode will cycle through the following settings: Setting How it works When to use it Use with subject 30 cm (1 ft) or more from lens Use for photographing distant scenes in daylight (a manual focus setting of Inf is available for when you want to use the flash)
33
Basic Photography: Focus
Camera automatiNO ICON cally adjusts focus Autofocus according to distance to subject Focus is fixed at infinity. Flash is disabled. Focus adjusted automatically for subjects 2 cm (0.8 in) or more from lens Shutter release delayed 10 sec. after shutterrelease button is pressed (release delayed 3 sec. if pressed twice)
Press
Confirm focus-mode setting in control panel or LCD monitor
Infinity
NORMAL [ 10]
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
Macro Close-up
Use for close-up photography
Macro close-up
When the camera is zoomed to the middle optical zoom position, macro close-up can be used with subjects as little as 2 cm (0.8 in) from the lens. At zoom positions suited to macro close-up, the macro close-up icon ( ) in the LCD monitor will turn yellow. It is recommended that you frame photographs in the LCD monitor when using macro close-up. While the flash can be used in macro close-up mode, it may sometimes be unable to light the entire subject. Take a test picture and verify the results in the LCD monitor.
Self-timer
Use for self-portraits or to reduce camera shake. Focus mode set to (macro close-up), allowing photographs to be taken at ranges of 2 cm to infinity.

Manual focus Using the self-timer
Autofocus Mode At settings of autofocus or macro close-up, the camera automatically focuses on the subject in the selected focus area when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway (in A-REC mode, the camera automatically focuses on the subject in the center focus area). The autofocus system operates in one of two modes: AF Mode How it works Pros and cons
In A-REC, autofocus mode is determined by whether the LCD monitor is on or off: continuous AF is used when the monitor is on, single AF when it is off. M-REC offers additional settings that give greater control over autofocus mode.
34
PRO Minimizes time required to focus Camera adjusts CON Continuous focus continuously Photos can be taken even when camera is not focusedcheck AF lamp before shooting PRO Photographs can only be taken when camera is in focus; saves batteries CON Slight delay before camera focuses
Getting good results with autofocus

Autofocus performs best when: There is contrast between the subject and the background. For example, autofocus may not perform well on subjects that are the same color as the background. The subject is evenly lit. Autofocus does not perform well when: The focus area contains objects at different distances from the camera. For example, autofocus may not perform well when photographing an object inside a cage, as the bars of the cage will be closer to the camera than the main subject. The subject is very dark (the subject should not, however, be too much brighter than the background). The subject is moving rapidly. If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus, use focus lock to focus on another subject at the same distance, or measure the distance to your subject and use manual focus. For more information, see: Focus lock (following) Advanced Photography: Manual Focus
Single
Camera focuses when shutterrelease button pressed halfway

Autofocus mode (M-REC) Focus area
Focus Lock In A-REC mode, the camera automatically focuses on the subject at the center of the frame. If your subject is not located at the center of the frame when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway, the camera will focus on the background. Focus lock allows you to first focus on your subject, then adjust the composition before taking the photograph.
2 Check the AF lamp

With the shutter-release button held halfway down, check that the green AF lamp next to the viewfinder glows steadily.
35
1 Focus the camera

Position the subject in the center focus area (shown by the focus target in the viewfinder) and press the shutter-release button halfway.
3 Recompose the photograph and shoot

Focus will remain locked as long as the shutter-release button is held halfway. Keeping the shutter-release button held halfway down, recompose your photograph. Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot.
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NORMAL [ 10]
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NORMAL [ 10]
Do not change the distance between the camera and the subject while focus lock is in effect. If your subject moves, remove your finger from the shutter-release button and focus again at the new distance.
In M-REC mode, you can also use focus area selection to focus on an offcenter subject. See: Advanced Photography: Focus Area Selection
Using the Self-Timer

The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with an automatic timer with two settings: three seconds, useful for reducing camera shake, and ten seconds, ideal for self-portraits. To use the self-timer, follow these steps:
3 Compose the photograph. 4 Fully depress the shutter-release button to activate the timer. Press the shutter-release button once for a tensecond delay. For a three-second delay, press the shutter-release button twice. The red-eye reduction lamp next to the flash window will start to blink when the shutter-release button is pressed, and continue to blink until one second before the shutter is released. The red-eye reduction lamp will stay lit during the final second to warn that the shutter is about to be released.
36
Basic Photography: Using the Self-Timer
1 Mount the camera on a tripod (recommended) or rest it

on a flat, stable surface.
2 Press the
button until the control panel or LCD monitor.
icon appears in the
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
Count-down timer in LCD monitor shows number of seconds remaining to shutter release after shutterNORMAL release button fully pressed [ 10]
To stop the automatic timer before a photograph is taken, turn the mode dial to a different setting. The timer will stop and the indicator will disappear from the control panel and LCD monitor.
Image Quality To reduce memory requirements, images are compressed usImage quality and size together determine the file size of pho- ing JPEG compression, which can result in changes in image tographs taken with the camera. This in turn determines how quality. Image quality is set using the button. many photographs can be stored on a single memory card. The number of images that can be stored at different combinaConfirm image quality tions of image quality and size is illustrated in the following setting in control panel tables:
Image Quality and Size
37
Basic Photography: Image Quality and Size
Size Quality HI FINE NORMAL BASIC Full XGA VGA 3:2 MB MB MB MB MB MB 8 16 8 16 8 16 8 16MB
MB
Press
or LCD monitor
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
0 5 10 19
1 10 20 40
19 38 73
40 79 151
48 91
100 187
0 5 11 22
1 11 23 46
Image quality will cycle through the following settings: Setting HI (M-REC only) FINE File format TIFF How it works No compression, maximum quality File size reduced to roughly 1/4 of original File size reduced to roughly 1/8 of original File size reduced to roughly 1/16 of original
161 333
Number of images that can be stored on 8 MB and 16 MB memory cards
Size Quality HI FINE NORMAL BASIC Full 10 61 121 239 XGA 239 466 885 VGA 588 1101 1952 3:2 11 69 137 269
JPEG JPEG JPEG
NORMAL BASIC
Number of images that can be stored on 96 MB memory card
JPEG compression analyzes images in blocks 8 8 pixels in The following options are available: size, and selectively reduces detail within each block. At higher Setting Size (pixels) Notes compression ratios, the block pattern becomes more visible Full 2048 1536 and there may be noticeable loss of detail. The actual effect Not available at HI image depends on the size of the image when output on a monitor XGA 1024 768 quality or printer and on the type of subject. While a setting of NORMAL represents the best trade-off between memory and imNot available at HI image VGA 640 480 age quality in most cases, a setting of BASIC can be used to quality save memory. Settings of HI (M-REC only) or FINE are suitSame aspect ratio as 35 mm able for photographs that will be enlarged or printed at high film. AF lamp blinks slowly to resolution. 3:2 2048 1360 indicate that viewfinder can not be used to frame photo accuImage Size rately. Use LCD monitor. button while Image size can be set by holding down the turning the command dial.
Confirm size setting in control panel or LCD monitor
VGA GA NORMAL [ 38]
38
Basic Photography: Image Quality and Size
P 1/60 F2.7
Image size determines the size at which an image can be reproduced on a printer or monitor. If the output size is too large, the individual pixels will be visible to the naked eye, giving the image a rough, uneven appearance. A typical target resolution for an ink-jet printer is about 200 pixels per inch. At this resolution, a VGA picture will be output at a size of 3.2 2.4 inches (8.1 6.1 cm), a full-size image at a size of about 10.2 7.7 inches (26.0 19.5 cm). Computer monitors typically have a resolution of about 100 pixels per inch. JPEG compression (image quality) reduces file size, but has no effect on the number of pixels in the image or on the size of the image when output on a printer or monitor.
Exposure Compensation
To obtain the desired result with certain subject compositions, particularly those containing complex patterns of light and shade or areas of high contrast, it may be necessary to use exposure compensation to modify the exposure value suggested by the camera. Exposure compensation is available in both A-REC and M-REC. Exposure compensation can be set to values between +2.0 EV (overexposure) and 2.0 EV (underexposure) in increments of 1 /3 EV.
Confirm exposure value in control panel or LCD monitor. Results of exposure compensation visible in monitor; adjust compensation until NORMAL [ 10] desired result achieved.
To cancel exposure compensation, set the compensation value to 0.0 EV.
39
Basic Photography: Exposure Compensation

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icon displayed in control panel while exposure compensation is in effect
By default, exposure compensation returns to 0.0 when the camera is turned off. In M-REC mode, the camera can be set to remember the compensation value in effect when the mode dial is turned off, restoring the value when the mode dial is next set to M-REC. For more information, see: Camera Setup: Customizing Camera Controls Exposure compensation can also be set using the EXPOSURE OPTIONS > Exp. +/ item in the M-REC menu. See: Advanced Photography: Camera Control
Reviewing Photographs
In A-REC mode, photographs are displayed in the LCD monitor after shooting (in M-REC, you can choose whether or not to display photographs after shooting using the Monitor Options > Display Mode item in the SET-UP menu). The review feature is not available when the monitor is off.
Photograph displayed in monitor after shooting
w w
While the display is paused, a REC icon appears in the LCD monitor. Press the button again to record the photograph and return to shooting mode, or press the ( ) button to delete the photograph as described above. The photograph will automatically be recorded if neither button is pressed before twenty seconds have passed.
40
Basic Photography: Reviewing Photographs
Press to delete photograph
Press to pause display for 20 sec. before recording
DELETE

MENU
Delete dialog displayed Select Yes to delete photograph Select No to save photograph and return to shooting mode
SET
OF F
SELECT

M-REC review settings
Advanced Photography
In addition, menu options give the user control over: white balance camera settings, inThis chapter covers settings available only when shooting in metering method cluding user settings M-REC mode. In addition to the settings discussed in the pre frame advance rate and settings for expovious chapter, in M-REC the user can use camera buttons and best-shot selection sure, autofocus, zoom, dials to control: contrast, brightness, and flash focus area and image type (color settings for optional exposure mode or black-and-white) lens converters focus distance (manual focus) image sharpening sensitivity (ISO equivalency) These topics are covered in the sections that follow.
41
Advanced Photography
Focus Area Selection Exposure Mode Manual Focus Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)
White Balance Metering Continuous Photography Best-Shot Selection Contrast, Brightness, and Image Type Image Sharpening Camera Control
Click
to go
Settings for Optional Lens Converters
Focus area selection can be used in combination with AF-area spot metering to match spot metering to the selected focus In M-REC, you can choose the focus target for autofocus op- area. It can also be used in combination with focus lock if the erations from one of five focus areas. Focus area selection is subject would not fall in any of the focus areas in the final useful when the subject is not positioned in the center of the composition. frame. There are five focus areas: center, top, bottom, right, left.
Focus Area Selection
42
Advanced Photography: Focus Area Selection
To use focus area selection, the LCD monitor must be on and Manual selected in the Focus Options > AF Area Mode sub-menu of the M-REC shooting menu. The focus area can then be selected using the multi selector.
NORMAL [ 10] P 1/60 F2.7 Center focus area selected
NORMAL [ 10] P 1/60 F2.7 Use multi selector to select new focus area
Manual focus selection is not available when the monitor is off or when digital zoom is in effect. In these cases, the center focus area (shown by the focus target in the viewfinder) is used for autofocus operations.

Focus options AF-area spot metering Focus lock Digital zoom
When Auto (the default setting) is selected in the Focus Options > AF Area Mode sub-menu for M-REC mode, the camera automatically selects the focus area containing the subject closest to the camera when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. No focus area indicators appear in the LCD monitor until the shutter-release button is half-pressed, when the active focus area is shown in red. Focus area selection can also be deactivated by selecting Off in the Focus Options > AF Area Mode sub-menu, in which case the center focus area is used. For more information, see: Advanced Photography: Camera Control
Exposure Mode
In M-REC, you can choose from four exposure modes that make it possible to manually adjust shutter speed and/or aperture and still achieve optimal exposures. To set the exposure mode:
Confirm mode setting in control panel or LCD monitor
Mode
How it works User chooses aperture; camera sets shutter speed for best exposure User chooses shutter speed; camera sets aperture for best exposure User chooses shutter speed and aperture
When to use it Large apertures (small f numbers) blur background details and increase range of flash; small apertures (large f numbers) increase depth of field, bringing both main subject and background into focus High shutter speeds freeze motion; low shutter speeds suggest movement by blurring moving objects Use when you want complete control over exposure
43
Advanced Photography: Exposure Mode
Aperturepriority auto
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
Shutterpriority auto
The following modes are available: Mode How it works When to use it
Manual
Camera sets shutter speed and aperture for best exposure. Flexible program can Programmed be used to select auto further combinations of shutter speed and aperture that yield equivalent exposure.
Best for general use and for snapshots
The term exposure refers to the amount of light allowed to enter the camera when a photograph is taken. The exposure depends on the aperture (the size of the opening through which light enters the camera) and shutter speed (the length of time that light enters the camera). The same exposure can be achieved using many different combinations of aperture and shutter speed. You can use flexible program to choose from one of several combinations, or set either aperture or shutter speed to suit your creative designs, while the camera takes care of the other to ensure correct exposure. Manual exposure mode gives you the freedom to modify exposure from the value suggested by the camera.
Programmed Auto Aperture-Priority Auto In programmed auto, the camera automatically adjusts shutter In aperture-priority auto, aperture can be chosen by rotating speed and aperture to produce the best exposure. Adjust- the command dial. Aperture can be set to values between ments to the exposure value selected by the camera can be maximum and minimum aperture in increments of 1/3 of a step. made using exposure compensation or exposure bracketing. Flexible Program When programmed auto is in effect, different combinations of shutter speed and aperture can be selected using the command dial. Each combination of shutter speed and aperture will produce the same exposure.
* appears in control panel and LCD monitor to indicate that flexible program is in effect. When monitor is on, values for shutter speed and aperture are displayed in control NORMAL [ 10] panel and LCD monitor (values are not displayed in control panel when monitor is off). Aperture displayed in LCD monitor and control panel Rotate
44
A 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
Rotate
If the selected aperture value would result in the photograph being over- or under-exposed, the aperture value displayed in the control panel and LCD monitor will flash when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Choose another aperture setting and try again.
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
Flexible program is reset to the default aperture and shutter speed when any of the following actions are performed: The camera is turned off The mode dial is turned to another setting Another exposure mode is chosen

Exposure compensation Exposure bracketing
Shutter-Priority Auto Manual When the camera is set to shutter-priority auto, shutter speed In manual exposure mode, you can choose an aperture becan be chosen by rotating the command dial. Options range tween maximum and minimum aperture (in increments of 1/3 from 8 sec. to 1/1000 sec. in increments of one step. of a step), and a shutter speed of bulb or values between 8 sec. and 1/1000 sec. (in increments of one step). Follow the Shutter speed displayed steps below to set shutter-speed and aperture in manual exin LCD monitor and control panel (shutter posure mode:
Rotate speeds of 1/4 sec. or more are shown in the LCD monitor in yellow to indicate that noise may appear in the final NORMAL [ 10] photograph)
45
1 After setting the exposure mode to manual, release the

button.
1/60 F2.7 2.7
2 Press the
If the selected shutter speed would result in the photograph being over- or under-exposed, the shutter speed displayed in the control panel and LCD monitor will flash when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Choose another setting and try again.
button again to select either shutter speed or aperture in the control panel shutter-speed/aperture display, or in the LCD monitor, where the selected item is shown in green. The item selected changes each time the button is pressed.
Shutter speed limitations

At a CONTINUOUS setting of Ultra HS, the lowest available shutter speed is 1/30 sec. At a setting of Movie, shutter speed can not be set to a value slower than 1/15 sec. A setting of bulb (manual exposure mode only) is only available at a CONTINUOUS setting of Single. For more information on CONTINUOUS settings, see: Advanced Photography: Continuous Photography
Long time exposure

When the shutter-speed is set to bulb (manual exposure mode only), the shutter will remain open while the shutter-release button is pressed (maximum exposure 60 sec.). Use of the remote shutter-release cord MC-EU1 (available separately) and a tripod is recommended. Note that if the shutter is open for longer than 1/4 sec. at any setting, noise may appear in the final photograph.
3 Rotate the command dial to set the selected

item (aperture or shutter speed) to the desired value. The amount the photograph will be over- or under-exposed at the selected setting is displayed in the control panel and LCD monitor.
Control panel display is in EVs, rounded to nearest EV (display lasts for eight seconds after FINE command dial is [ 10] M 1/60 F2.7 released, then is replaced by exposure count display). If photograph would be over- or under-exposed by more than 9 EV, display shows flashing +9 (overexposure) or 9 (underexposure). LCD monitor display shows values between 2 and +2 EV in increments of 1/3 EV.
4 Press the
button to select the remaining item (aperture or shutter speed).
46
5 Rotate the command dial to choose a value

that will produce the desired exposure, as shown in the control panel and LCD monitor (see Step 3, at left).
Underexposed Overexposed 2 0 +2 1 +1 (Values in EVs)
If sensitivity is set to AUTO when shutter-priority auto or manual exposure is used, sensitivity will be fixed at ISO 100 equivalent and will not vary with lighting conditions. This ensures that the desired exposure will be achieved. For more information on sensitivity settings, see: Advanced Photography: Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)
The value displayed for manual focus is the approximate distance from the front of the lens. The actual focus distance may In M-REC, focus distance can be selected from fifty preset dis- differ slightly from the value shown; check focus in the LCD tances ranging from 0.02 m (0.8 in) to infinity. Manual focus monitor before shooting. can be used when you know the distance to your subject in button. advance, or when the camera is unable to focus using autofocus. Manual focus can be cancelled by pressing the
Manual Focus
47
Advanced Photography: Manual Focus
To choose a distance for manual focus:

Focus distance is displayed in LCD monitor, and in control panel while INF command dial is rotated. After command dial is released, M-FOCUS NORMAL [ 10] icon in control panel P 1/60 F2.7 indicates that manual focus is in effect. Distances of 30 cm (12 in) or less are shown in red in monitor to indicate that camera may not be able to focus at some zoom settings.
The flash can be used while manual focus is in effect. This makes it possible to combine the flash with a manual focus setting of infinity. The focus distances available depend on the zoom setting. The camera can focus at a distance of 2 cm at the middle optical zoom position only.
The units used for manual focus distance can be chosen from the FOCUS OPTIONS > Distance Units sub-menu in the M-REC menu. See: Advanced Photography: Camera Control
Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)

In A-REC mode, automatic gain control is used to produce sensitivity equivalent to ISO 100 film. In M-REC mode, you can choose increased values for sensitivity, or allow the camera to set sensitivity in response to lighting conditions. Increasing sensitivity reduces the time needed to make an exposure, allowing increased shutter speed. This can be used to reduce blurring caused by camera motion when lighting is poor, or to freeze moving objects. Sensitivity is adjusted as shown below:
Sensitivity setting is displayed in LCD monitor, and in control panel while command dial is rotated. After AUT command dial is UTO released, ISO icon in NORMAL [ 10] control panel indicates that sensitivity adjustment is in effect.
The following settings are available: Setting 100 200 400 Description
48
Advanced Photography: Sensitivity (ISO Equivalency)
Approximately equivalent to ISO 100 (default) Approximately equivalent to ISO 200 Approximately equivalent to ISO 400 Equivalent to 100 under normal conditions; when lighting is poor, however, camera will automatically raise sensitivity to compensate. ISO icon appears in control panel and LCD monitor only when sensitivity is raised above 100.
AUTO
Press while turning command dial to cycle through sensitivity settings as follows: 100 200 400 AUTO
Changes to sensitivity have no effect in A-REC mode. Turning the mode dial to A-REC returns sensitivity to the default value; the M-REC setting is restored when the mode dial is set to M-REC once again.
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
A slight amount of noise may appear in photographs taken at settings other than 100.
In a film camera, sensitivity is a characteristic of the film, not the camera. Sensitivity determines the amount of light needed to produce a given degree of exposure. The more sensitive the film, the less light needed to make an exposure, allowing higher shutter speeds. Higher sensitivity is achieved by altering the chemical composition of the film, causing a random pattern, called grain, to appear in the final photograph. In a digital camera, sensitivity has a similar effect: higher sensitivities allow higher shutter speeds, at the expense of noise (the digital equivalent of film grain) appearing in the final image.
White Balance
WHITE BALANCE The perceived color of an object is afAuto 1 A A White Bal Preset hite et fected by the color of the lighting under Fine 2 Incandescent which it is viewed. The human brain is Fluorescent Cloudy able to detect and compensate for such S A Speedlight A SELECT SET OF F changes in perceived color. As a result, a white object will look white to humans whether viewed in sunlight or under overcast skies, or indoors under incandescent or fluorescent lighting. A digital camera must emulate the human brain and adjust colors according to lighting so that colors that appear white when viewed directly also appear white in the final photograph. This adjustment is called white balance, and can be made using the WHITE BALANCE sub-menu in the M-REC menu.
MENU
The following white-balance settings are available: Setting A Auto Description
49
Advanced Photography: White Balance
White balance automatically adjusted to suit lighting conditions. Best setting in most situations. White object used as reference point to set white balance to suit unusual lighting conditions White balance set for direct sunlight
White Bal Preset Fine
Use when taking photographs indoors under Incandescent incandescent light Use when taking photographs indoors under Fluorescent fluorescent light Cloudy Use when taking photographs under overcast skies
Fine-tuning white balance settings

WHITE BALANCE At settings other than A (auto) and (preset), +1 uto A Auto 1 white balance can be fine-tuned by highlighting White Bal Pres hite 0 Fine the desired setting in the white-balance menu and 2 Incandescent Fluorescent 1 rotating the command dial. Adjustments can be Cloudy A S Speedlight A made in the range of +3 to 3 or, in the case of MENU OF F SELECT SET (fluorescent), by selecting the type of bulb from the following sub-menu: FL1: W (default) FL2: N FL3: D Raising white balance gives images a blue, cold cast; lowering white balance makes photos appear warmerthat is, slightly yellow or red. After selecting the desired white-balance adjustment, press the multi selector to the right to put your choice into effect.
White balance set to match light produced Speedlight by flash
At settings other than A (auto), the current whitebalance setting is indicated by an icon in the LCD monitor.
NORMAL [ 10]
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Preset White Balance When (preset) is selected, the camera will zoom in and the preset whitebalance menu will appear in the LCD monitor. Option Cancel
Metering
WHITE BALANCE PRESET 1 2 Cancel Measure SELECT
50
S
MENU
OF F
SET
The COOLPIX 990 offers a choice of four metering methods. Choose a metering method according to your composition and lighting conditions. Method How it works Exposure calculated by comparing measurements from 256 segments of frame with library of typical compositions, producing best possible setting for entire frame Camera measures light in area in center of frame occupying roughly 1/32 of total, shown by square in center of LCD monitor
METERING 1 2
Advanced Photography: Metering
A
A A
OF F
SELECT SET
Description Recalls most recent value for preset white balance from memory and sets white balance to this value Camera measures white balance, using object displayed in center of LCD monitor as reference point. To use this option, first place white or light grey object under lighting that will be used in final photograph, then aim camera at object and press multi selector to right (beep will sound and camera will zoom out, but no photograph will be taken).
MENU
When to use it
Matrix
Best for general use
Measure
Spot
Ensures that subject in metering target will be correctly exposed even when background is very light or very dark. Can be used in combination with AE hold (see overleaf).
Method
How it works
When to use it Classic meter for portraits; preserves background details while letting lighting conditions at center of frame determine exposure. Selected automatically when digital zoom is used. Can be used in combination with AE hold (see right).
Camera measures lighting in entire frame, but assigns weight of Center80% to area in Weighted center of frame occupying roughly 1 /4 of total
Auto-Exposure Hold Pressing the shutter-release button halfway not only locks focus, but also exposure. This can be used together with spot or center-weighted metering to set exposure for a subject not at the center of the final composition.
51
Advanced Photography: Metering
1 Set metering to (spot) or 2 Position the subject

in the center of the frame and press the shutter-release button halfway.
(center-weighted).
Spot AF Area
When Auto or Manual is chosen in FOCUS OPTIONS > AF Area Mode sub-menu, this option can be used to link spot meterCamera measures ing to currently selected light in current focus area. When OFF is focus area only chosen, this option is equivalent to Matrix. When manual focus is in effect, this option is equivalent to Spot.
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
3 Keeping the shutterrelease button held halfway down, recompose your phoNORMAL [ 10] P 1/60 F2.7 tograph. Press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down to shoot.

The metering method is shown by icons in the control panel and LCD monitor (when Spot AF Area is chosen, a spot-metering icon ( ) appears in the control panel). Digital zoom Focus options
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NORMAL [ 10]
Focus area Focus lock
Continuous Photography
Using the CONTINUOUS menu, you can set the camera to take photographs one at a time, shoot multiple photographs in sequence, or even record short movies. Option Single
CONTINUOUS 1 2
Option
A
Single Continuous Multi-shot 16 VGA Sequence Ultra HS Movie SELECT SET OF F
Description
52
Camera takes up to sixteen consecutive thumbnail images and combines them into Multi-shot collage. This option is only available when 16 image size is set to full. Camera takes series of consecutive photographs 640 480 pixels in size. Image quality is VGA set to NORMAL, allowing photos to be taken Sequence at approximately two frames per second. Camera takes series of photographs 320 240 pixels in size (QVGA). Image quality is set to NORMAL, allowing photos to be taken at approximately thirty frames per second. Each Ultra HS sequence of photographs is saved in separate folder automatically created by camera. Folder name begins with N_ followed by three-digit number assigned in ascending order by camera. Camera begins recording movie when shutterrelease button is fully pressed. Movie ends after forty seconds, or next time shutterrelease button is fully pressed. Movie is stored in QuickTime format (DOS file extension .MOV). Each frame has image quality of NORMAL and is 320 240 pixels in size (QVGA).
Advanced Photography: Continuous Photography
A A
MENU
Description Camera records one photograph each time shutter-release button is fully pressed
Camera records photographs in continuous sequence while shutter-release button is held Continuous down. Not available at HI image quality.
The built-in flash will not fire at settings of Continuous, Multi-shot 16, and VGA Sequence. Unless you are using an external flash, it is recommended that you set the flash to (flash cancel) at these settings to ensure that photographs are not underexposed. At settings other than Single and Movie, the focus, exposure, and auto white-balance settings used for the first image are applied to all other images in the same series. Settings of Movie and Ultra HS only take effect when the LCD monitor is on. If the monitor is turned off, the camera will revert to a setting of Single until the monitor is turned on. While Movie or Ultra HS is in effect, both built-in and external flashes will be automatically turned off. If the lens is rotated to point in the same direction as the LCD monitor at a setting of Movie, the display in the LCD monitor will be inverted and movies will be recorded upside down.
Movie

Image quality and size Flash settings
The following table shows the number of photographs (normal quality) that can be recorded in a single sequence at each The CONTINUOUS setting is setting, together with the approximate frame advance rate. shown by icons in the control Mode Continuous (full size image) VGA Sequence Ultra HS Movie
*
53
Advanced Photography: Continuous Photography
Approx. no. of frames per sec. 1.5 2 30 15
Max. no. of frames 5 44* 80* 40 sec.
panel and LCD monitor.

NORMAL [ 10 ]
Continuous
2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
Single
Multi-shot 16
VGA sequence
When battery power is low, the maximum number of frames that can be taken in a single sequence is ten. Ultra HS Movie
The camera is equipped with a memory buffer for temporary storage of photos during shooting. This allows you to take several photographs in succession, as you would with a traditional film camera, without waiting for the images to be transferred to the memory card. The number of images that can be stored in the buffer depends on the quality and size of the images. When the buffer becomes full, there will be a short pause while the camera transfers images to the card for permanent storage. The time required depends on the number of images in the buffer and the speed of the CompactFlash memory card. Do not remove the memory card from the camera while images are being transferred from the buffer to the card. Doing so could result in loss of data or in damage to the camera or the card. Be sure the camera is off before removing the memory card. When the camera is connected to a video device at a video-mode setting of PAL and a continuous setting of Ultra HS or Movie, video output will be suspended while recording is in progress. Normal output will be restored when recording ends.
Best-Shot Selection
The options available in the BSS sub-menu are:
54
Option Description BSS Best-shot selection (BSS) compensates A 1 BSS off; one photo taken each time shutterfor camera movement. It is most effecOFF 2 release button is fully pressed OFF tive in situations in which inadvertent ON camera movement may affect the out- S A Camera shoots photos as long as shutterA SELECT SET OF F release button is held down, to maximum of come of the photograph, for example ten. These images are then compared and ON when: sharpest photo (photo with highest level of the camera is zoomed in or you are using a teleconverter detail) saved to memory card. lens attachment you are using macro close-up shutter speed is low BSS may not produce the desired results with a moving sub- When BSS is on, a BSS icon is displayed in the LCD monitor. ject or if you change the composition during shooting.
MENU
Advanced Photography: Best-Shot Selection
BSS
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]

Zoom Optional lens converters Macro close-up Flash settings Continuous settings Image quality
When photographs are taken with BSS on, the focus, exposure, and auto white-balance settings used for the first photo when the shutter-release button is pressed apply to all images in the series. The flash is set to (flash cancel) when BSS is on.
BSS is not available at: CONTINUOUS settings of Continuous, Multi-shot 16, VGA Sequence, Ultra HS, or Movie an image quality of HI Selecting any of the above options automatically cancels BSS. BSS can not be selected while the above options are in effect.
Contrast, Brightness, and Image Type

IMAGE ADJUSTMENT When a photograph is taken, the A Auto 1 A 0 Normal COOLPIX 990 automatically performs More Contrast 2 Less Contrast image compensation to produce optimal Lighten Image Darken Image A S brightness and contrast before the image A Black&White SELECT SET OF F is recorded to the memory card. The image adjustment sub-menu gives you control over the image compensation performed by the camera, making it possible not only to control brightness and contrast, but also to produce monochrome images. The following options are available:
MENU
Option
Description Increases brightness of mid-tones in image. This setting can be used on images that will be output on computer monitor or printer if device tends to produce images that are too dark. Unlike exposure compensation, this adjustment does not result in loss of detail in highlights or shadows. Decreases brightness of mid-tones in image. This setting can be used on images that will be output on computer monitor or printer if device tends to produce images that are too bright. Unlike exposure compensation, this adjustment does not result in loss of detail in highlights or shadows. Image converted to black-and-white. Blackand-white images require same amount of memory as color images, but show a higher level of detail. When this option is in effect, view through lens displayed in LCD monitor is in black-and-white. White-balance settings and digital zoom can not be used while this option is in effect.
55
Advanced Photography: Contrast, Brightness, and Image Type
Lighten Image
Darken Image
Option
Description Camera adjusts brightness and contrast for optimal results; adjustment performed differs from image to image Camera performs same standard brightness and contrast adjustment on all images
Auto 0 Normal
Black & White
Image processed to increase difference beMore tween light and dark areas Contrast Image processed to reduce difference between Less light and dark areas Contrast
Only one image adjustment setting can be used at a time. Selecting a new image adjustment option cancels the previous setting. The effects of adjustments to brightness and contrast are not visible in the LCD monitor.
Image Sharpening
Exposure compensation (changing the aperture or shutter speed from the value suggested by the camera to increase or decrease exposure) tends to increase or decrease both contrast and brightness simultaneously. Image adjustment allows you to apply contrast and brightness separately for more creative flexibility. At settings other than Normal, an image adjustment icon appears in the LCD monitor.
IMAGE SHARPENING When a photograph is taken, the 1 A COOLPIX 990 automatically sharpens A Auto 2 High edges in the image before saving it to the Normal Low memory card. The image sharpening sub- S A Off A SELECT SET OF F menu gives you control over the amount of sharpening performed. The following options are available:
MENU
56
Advanced Photography: Image Sharpening
Option
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
Description Camera adjusts edge sharpness for optimal results; adjustment performed differs from image to image Image processed to increase sharpness, making edges more distinct Camera performs same standard sharpening on all images Amount of sharpening reduced below normal level No sharpening performed
Auto
High Normal Low Off

White balance The effects of sharpening are not visible in the LCD monitor.
Camera Control
At settings other than Normal, an image adjustment icon appears in the LCD monitor.
57
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
The M-REC menu contains options that give the user greater control over camera settings, including: a menu of three separate custom combinations of settings that can be edited and recalled as desired (custom settings) separate sub-menus for controlling auto exposure, autofocus, zoom, and flash settings a reset option that allows you to return settings to their default values
Advanced Photography: Camera Control
User Settings In M-REC mode, the camera can memorize up to three combinations of settings, including white balance, metering, advance rate, best-shot selection, lens converter option, image adjustment, and sharpening. These settings can be recalled as desired, allowing you to create separate combinations of settings for different shooting conditions and recall them at a touch. By default, any changes made to settings in M-REC mode are automatically saved as Settings Number 1. These settings are restored whenever the mode dial is set to M-REC. To view the contents of the current user set or select a new user settings number:
2 A menu of user settings numbers (1, 2,
USER SETTING 1
58
and 3) will be displayed. The current 2 set will be highlighted, with the conA tents of the set listed to the right of S S A SELECT SET OF F the menu. Settings that have not been changed from defaults are shown in white, settings that differ from the defaults in yellow.
MENU
3 To choose another set, highlight the desired number and

press the multi selector to the right. You can also choose a set directly from the main menu by highlighting the user settings option and rotating the command dial.
Any changes to settings made in M-REC Highlight the current user settings number in the second mode will be saved under the current setpage of the M-REC menu and press the multi selector to tings number. When User Set 2 or 3 is selected, the user settings number appears the right. in the LCD monitor. USER SETTING
1 2
P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET

Default settings
Exposure Options The exposure options sub-menu provides control over the cameras auto-exposure function.
EXPOSURE OPTIONS 1 2 AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp +/
While AE lock is in effect,AE-L and WB-L icons will appear in the LCD monitor.
WB-L AE-L NORMAL [ 10]
59
P 1/60 F2.7
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
AE lock Use this option when you want to use the same aperture, shutter-speed, sensitivity, and white-balance settings for all photographs in a series (for example, when taking photographs that will later be joined to form a panorama). Option OFF
AE LOCK 1 2 AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp +/ OFF ON Reset
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Auto bracketing Auto bracketing is used to vary exposure by fixed amounts over a series of photographs. This can be used to take multiple shots of the same subject at different exposure settings without stopping to adjust exposure compensation manually. Option OFF
AUTO BRACKETING 1 2 AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp +/
OFF ON
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Description Restores normal auto exposure Exposure changes in order +2/3 EV, +1/3 EV, 0 EV, 1/3 EV, 2/3 EV with each photograph taken after ON is selected (photographs with + value will be overexposed, those with value underexposed; values are added to exposure-compensation setting made with button)
Description Restores normal exposure, sensitivity, and white balance. First photograph taken after ON is selected from AE-lock sub-menu sets exposure for all subsequent photographs. If white balance is set to A (auto), white balance for first photograph will also apply to other photographs in series. While AE lock is in effect, flash will be set to (flash cancel). Clear existing exposure and white-balance settings. First photograph taken after this option selected sets exposure and auto white balance for all subsequent photographs.
ON
ON
Reset
60 In programmed auto, aperture-priority auto, and manual exposure modes, bracketing is achieved by varying shutter speed. In shutter-priority auto, bracketing is achieved by varying aperture. At settings of Continuous and VGA Sequence, shooting will pause after each series of five photographs has been taken. When the flash is set to Auto, the flash setting for the first photograph in each sequence of five photographs will apply to the remaining four. If the flash is used for the first photograph, it will be used for the next four photographs; if the flash is not used for the first photograph, it will not be used in the next four photographs. While bracketing is in effect, the exposure modification appears with a BKT icon in the icon LCD monitor, and the in the control panel flashes.
+0.7 2.7 P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10 ]
Exp. +/ (exposure compensation) EXP +/ This option works in the same way as 1 + 0.3 AE Lock ordinary exposure compensation. ExpoAuto Bracketing 2 0 Exp +/ sure compensation can be set to values 0.3 If sensitivity is set to AUTO, the sensitivity used for the first photograph between +2.0 EV (overexposure) and S S SELECT SET OF F in each sequence of five photographs will apply to the remaining four. 2.0 EV (underexposure) in increments 1 button; Auto bracketing starts over from +2/3 EV when changes are made to any of /3 EV. This item has the same effect as the of the following: changing exposure compensation in the Exp. +/ sub-menu the flash setting changes the value selected with the button, while chang sensitivity ing exposure compensation with the button changes the exposure compensation value displayed in the Exp. +/ sub-menu. the Variable Power setting in the SPEEDLIGHT OPT sub-menu
MENU
Auto bracketing can not be used in combination with: CONTINUOUS settings of Multi-shot 16, Ultra HS, or Movie best-shot selection the AE-Lock option in the EXPOSURE OPTIONS sub-menu Choosing any of the above options cancels auto bracketing. Auto bracketing can also be cancelled by: selecting OFF from the Auto Bracketing sub-menu turning the camera off

Multi-shot (continuous) settings Flash settings Sensitivity Variable power (speedlight options) Best-shot selection AE lock (exposure options) Exposure compensation
Focus Options The focus options sub-menu provides control over focus settings.
Option
FOCUS OPTIONS 1 2 AF Area Mode Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation Distance Units S
Description Center focus area (shown by focus target in viewfinder) is used. No focus area indicators appear in LCD monitor. This setting can be used with focus lock.
61
Off
SET
MENU
OF F
SELECT
AF area mode This setting determines which of the five focus areas will be used for autofocus in M-REC mode. The following options are available when the LCD monitor is on (when the monitor is off, AF-area mode is automatically set to Off): Option
AF AREA MODE 1 2 AF Area Mode Auto Auto Focus Mode Manual Focus Confirmation Off Distance Units S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Autofocus mode In M-REC, you can choose the autofocus mode used when the LCD monitor is on (when the LCD monitor is off, single autofocus is used, regardless of the setting in the autofocus mode sub-menu). Option
AUTO FOCUS MODE 1 2 AF Area Mode Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation AF Continuous Distance Single AF S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Description
Description Camera automatically selects focus area containing subject closest to camera. Active focus area displayed in red when shutterrelease button pressed halfway. This setting is useful when you have little time to compose photographs. User selects focus area manually as described under Advanced Photography: Focus Area Selection. This setting is useful when subject is not at center of final composition.
Camera adjusts focus continuously; focus is Continuous locked when shutter-release button is AF pressed halfway Camera focuses when shutter-release button Single AF is pressed halfway; focus is locked as long as shutter-release button is held in this position
Auto
Manual

Focus area selection Autofocus
Focus confirmation Focus confirmation makes it possible to determine in advance exactly what areas of the frame will be in focus in the final photograph. Option MF (Manual focus) ON OFF
*
FOCUS CONFIRMATION 1 AF Area Mode Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation MF ON Distance S OFF S MENU OF F SELECT SET 2
Zoom Options The zoom options sub-menu controls settings for optical and digital zoom.
62
ZOOM OPTIONS 1
Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Description When manual focus is used, objects that are in focus will be sharply outlined in LCD monitor* Objects that are in focus will be sharply outlined in LCD monitor in all focus modes* No indication of focus is given
Digital zoom This sub-menu can be used to turn digital zoom off and on.
DIGITAL TELE 1 2 Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture S ON OFF
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Option
Description Camera automatically enters digital zoom mode when button is held down for more than two seconds at maximum optical zoom position Only optical zoom available; digital zoom can not be used
No indication of focus appears in the final photograph.
ON
DISTANCE UNITS
Distance units In this sub-menu, you can choose the units used to display the manual focus distance. The options available are meters (m) and feet (ft).
1 AF Area Mode 2 Auto Focus Mode Focus Confirmation m Distance Units S ft S MENU OF F SELECT SET
OFF

Focus mode Manual focus

Digital and optical zoom
Start-up position The options in this sub-menu determine the position of the zoom lens when the mode dial is turned from OFF to A-REC or M-REC. Option Last Position Wide
STARTUP POSITION 1 2 Last Position Wide Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Description When turned on, camera zooms to same zoom position camera was in when turned off When turned on, camera zooms out to widest angle When turned on, camera zooms in to position just before maximum optical zoom position. Use this setting to minimize start-up time.
Fixed aperture Normally, aperture changes with zoom position. In studio flash situations, this requires that flash power be adjusted with each change in zoom. Fixing aperture makes this adjustment unnecessary (not available at a setting of Movie). Option OFF
63
FIXED APERTURE 1
Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture OFF S ON S MENU OF F SELECT SET
Description Lens f-number changes as camera is zoomed in or out Camera maintains aperture at value within 1 /3 EV of f number in effect before zoom operation started, if possible. Value changes if f number would not fall in range of values possible at given zoom setting. This setting only takes effect at exposure-mode settings of aperture-priority auto or manual, when user sets aperture manually.
Tele
ON

Exposure mode
Speedlight (Flash) Options This sub-menu controls settings for the cameras built-in flash and for external Speedlights.
Using an external flash

SPEEDLIGHT OPT. 1 2 Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl S
64
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Variable power This sub-menu is used to perform exposure compensation by varying the intensity of the flash. Exposure can be adjusted by from +2.0 EV to 2.0 EV in increments of 1/3 EV. Speedlight control This sub-menu allows you to turn the cameras built-in flash off while using an external Speedlight.
VARIABLE POWER 1 2 Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl S
+ 0.3
0 0.3 SET
A flash bracket (the SK-E900 Multi-Flash Bracket Unit) is available separately for connecting external flash units to the COOLPIX 990. When the bracket is connected to the cameras synchro-flash terminal, external flash units mounted on the bracket are synchronized with the cameras built-in flash, increasing the size of the area illuminated and allowing use of sophisticated flash techniques such as bounce-flash photography. You can use flash settings such as Auto, Slow Sync, and Anytime Flash with both the external and built-in (internal) flash units, or you can turn the built-in flash off and use the external flash only (see left). When the flash is fired, the brightness of the external and built-in flash units is controlled by the camera. Instructions for attaching the optional SK-E900 flash bracket and connecting external flash units may be found in the SK-E900 instruction manual. When the SK-E900 is in place, the following Nikon flash units (available separately) can be used: SB-28DX, SB-28, SB-26, SB-25, SB-24, SB-22S, and SB-22. The use of non-Nikon flash units is not recommended. When the built-in flash is off, flash settings are shown in the control panel icon indicates and LCD monitor flash-mode displays as follows (the that the built-in flash is off): Control Panel Mode Display Mode Auto Anytime Flash Flash Cancel Slow Sync Red-Eye Reduction Mode Auto Flash Cancel Red-Eye Reduction LCD Monitor Display Mode A Anytime Flash Slow Sync Display
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SPEEDLIGHT CNTRL 1 2 Int & Ext Active Int Flash Variable Power Off Speedlight Cntrl S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Option
Description
Int and Built-in flash fires at same time as external ext active Speedlight Int flash off Built-in flash set to (flash cancel); external Speedlight can still be used
Display SL
Restoring Default Settings Selecting C (reset all) from the M-REC menu displays the message shown at right.
Setting
RESET ALL 1 2 Reset all settings to default values? No Reset S
Default On Last Position
Setting Shutter Sound Memorize
Default On All options off 30 s Off 3s
65
Digital Tele Startup Position Fixed Aperture Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl Folder Display Mode Brightness Hue
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Option No Reset
Description Return to shooting mode leaving settings unchanged Restore the settings listed below to default values
Off 0 Int & Ext Active NIKON On 3 6
Auto Off Shot Confirm Lamp Frame Intvl (Slide Show)
Selecting Reset restores the following settings to their default values: Setting White Balance Metering Continuous BSS Lens Image Adjustment Image Sharpening Default Auto Matrix Single Off Normal Auto Auto Setting AE Lock Auto Bracketing Exp. +/ AF Area Mode Auto-Focus Mode Focus Confirmation Default Off Off 0 Auto Continuous AF MF
Settings in the User Set currently selected in the M-REC USER SETTINGS sub-menu will be restored to the above defaults. All other settings are unaffected.

User settings
Settings for Optional Lens Converters

LENS Lens converters for wide-angle, telephoto, 1 A Normal and fisheye photography are available Wide Adapter 2 Telephoto 1 separately for the COOLPIX 990. Each Telephoto 2 Fisheye 1 A S of these converters is adapted to a par- A Fisheye 2 SELECT SET OF F ticular combination of settings, including focus mode, zoom position, and metering method. Using the lens sub-menu, you can select combinations of settings suited to particular lens converters. The following options are available:
MENU
Option
Description
66
Camera zoomed in to maximum optical zoom position Telefoto1 Optical zoom adjustable between maxi(for TC-E2 mum position (24 mm) and third step in 2 telephoto LCD monitor zoom display (14 mm) converter) Built-in flash and any external flash attachments disabled Camera zoomed in to maximum optical zoom position Telefoto2 Optical zoom adjustable between maxi(for TC-E3ED mum position (24 mm) and second step in 3 telephoto LCD monitor zoom display (18 mm) converter) Built-in flash and any external flash attachments disabled Zoom fixed at widest angle Focus mode fixed at infinity Metering method fixed at center-weighted Built-in flash and any external flash attachments disabled Four corners of frame blacked out to create circular frame Zoom fixed at widest angle Focus mode fixed at infinity Built-in flash and any external flash attachments disabled Image fills entire frame
Advanced Photography: Settings for Optional Lens Converters
Option
Description No modifications are made to settings. Use this option when no lens converter is attached.
Normal
Wide Adapter Camera zoomed out to widest angle (for WC-E24 Built-in flash and any external flash attachand WC-E63 ments disabled wide-angle converters)
Fisheye1 (for FC-E8 fisheye converter)
Fisheye2 (for FC-E8 fisheye converter)
For details of use and handling, refer to the documentation provided with your lens converter.

At settings other than Normal, a lens adapter icon is displayed in the LCD monitor. Zoom
67
Advanced Photography: Settings for Optional Lens Converters
Flash settings Focus mode

P 1/60 F2.7
NORMAL [ 10]
Metering
Playback
This chapter covers the operations that can be performed when the mode dial is set to PLAY. These include: playback of photographs stored on the memory card, either singly or in contact sheets of nine or four thumbnail images display of detailed photo information for individual photographs zooming in on images to view fine details movie playback deleting individual photographs
The above operations can be performed using the , , and zoom buttons, the multi selector, and the command dial. In addition, the following operations can be performed from the playback menu: deleting multiple photographs slide shows, or automated sequential display of the photographs stored in memory protecting photographs from deletion hiding photographs preparing photographs for printing using the Digital PrintOrder Format (DPOF) These topics are covered in the sections that follow.
68
Playback
Basic Playback
Deleting Multiple Photographs Selecting a Folder for Playback Slide Show Protecting Photographs from Deletion Hiding Photographs During Playback Preparing Photographs for Printing
Click
to go
Basic Playback
Single-Image Playback
69
When the mode dial is turned to PLAY, the camera enters Selecting a photograph playback mode with the most recent photograph displayed in Use the multi selector to page through the photographs in memory one at a time. the LCD monitor. Operation Function 2000.04.25 100NIKON 100NIKON
14:20 0005.JPG
Playback: Basic Playback
NORMAL
5/5]
Press up or left
View photograph recorded before current photograph
This section covers the operations that can be performed in playback mode using camera buttons and dials.
Press down or right
View photograph recorded after current photograph
Only photographs in the current folder are displayed in playback mode. If there are no photographs in the current folder, the message CARD CONTAINS NO IMAGE DATA will be displayed. To select another folder for playback, or to view photographs in all folders, use the Folders item in the playback menu. For more information, see: Playback: Selecting a Folder for Playback In single-image playback, photographs are displayed briefly at low resolution while being read from memory. This makes it possible to scroll rapidly through the photographs in memory without waiting for each image to be displayed at full resolution.
To scroll quickly to a particular frame number without viewing intervening photos, press and hold the multi selector in one of the four directions. The photograph displayed will not change, but the frame number at the bottom right corner of the LCD monitor will increase or decrease rapidly. Release the selector when the desired frame number is reached. The first and last photographs in memory are linked. Pressing the multi selector up or to the left while the first photo in memory is displayed takes you to the last photo. Pressing the multi selector down or to the right while the last photo in memory is selected takes you to the first photo.
Viewing photo information Photo information is shown superimposed on photographs displayed in single-image playback. There are five pages of photo information in total. Rotate the command dial to cycle through photo information as follows: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 1.
Page 1 2000.04.25 Date of recording 2000.04.25 14:20 Time of recording
100NIKON 100NIKON Folder 0005.JPG File no. and type
Page 2 Camera CAMERA : E990 FIRM VER : E990 V1.0 type, METERING : MATRIX MATRIX MODE :P firmware SHUTTER : 1/60 APERTURE APERTURE : F2.7 version, EXP +/ +/ : 0.0 metering FOCAL LENGTH : 8.2mm FOCUS : AF method, exposure mode, shutter speed, aperture, exposure compensation, focal length, focus mode/distance Page 4 (histogram) Thumbnail preview (flashing border marks image highlights) Histogram*
*
Page 3 Flash on/ SPEED LIGHT : OFF IMG ADJUST : AUT UTO off, image SENSITIVITY : 100 WHITEBAL : AUT UTO adjustSHARPNESS : AUT UTO DIGITAL DIGIT TELE : X1.0 ment, CONVERTER : OFF CONVER sensitivity, FILE SIZE : 673KB white balance, sharpening, digital zoom, lens converter on/off, file size (kilobytes)
70
Image size VGA Image quality NORMAL
Print-order icon Protect icon 5/5] Frame no./Total no. of frames visible
0005.JPG 1/60 F2.7 0.0 100
The MONITOR button

The monitor button controls the LCD monitor. Press the button to cycle through monitor settings as shown below. Monitor on, photo info hidden Press Monitor on, photo info displayed Monitor off Press
Histogram shows distribution of tones in image. Horizontal axis gives pixel brightness (dark bright), vertical axis gives number of pixels.
File no. and type Metering method Shutter speed Aperture Exposure compensation Sensitivity (ISO equivalency)
Page 5 (focus confirmation) File no. and type 0005.JPG 8.2mm Focal length 1/60 F2.7 Aperture AF Shutter speed Focus mode/focus distance
Focus confirmation (portions of image in focus sharply outlined; active focus area shown in yellow)
Press
Zoom Use the ( ) button to zoom in on photographs displayed in single-image playback.
(
2.0
) Movie playback In single-image playback, movies are indi- 2000.04.20 11:42 cated by a icon. Movie playback is controlled by the button.
ZOOM
QUAL
71
100NIKON 100NIKON 0002.JPG
SCROLL
START
2/5 ]
Operation
Function Zoom photograph in. Zoom increases each time button is pressed, to maximum of 4.0. When image zoomed in, indicator appears and zoom factor is shown in LCD monitor.
Operation
Function Start movie. While movie is in progress, press to pause movie; press again to resume While movie is in progress, end playback and display previous picture. While movie is paused, go back one frame
Press
Press
Cancel zoom Press
Press up or left
Scroll to another area of image Press up, down, left, or right
Press right or down
While movie is in progress, end playback and display next picture. While movie is paused, go forward one frame
To use the multi selector to view other photographs memory, first cancel zoom by pressing the button.
Thumbnail Playback ( ) The thumbnail menu can be used to select photographs or movies for viewing.
Deleting Individual Photographs ( ) To delete the image or movie currently on display in singleimage playback, or to delete the currently selected thumbnail, press the ( ) button.
Single-image playback 2000.04.25 100NIKON 100NIKON 14:20 0005.JPG Thumbnail playback
72
Operation
Function Press once to display menu of nine thumbnail images, or twice to display four thumbnail images. Press again to view highlighted thumbnail full size. Scroll through thumbnails page by page (first and last page of thumbnails linked)
Press
NORMAL
5/5]
Rotate
Highlight thumbnail (press up/left when first thumbnail highlighted to view last page of Press up, left thumbnails, down/right when last thumbnail down, or highlighted to display first page of thumbnails). right
DELETE
Press ) button
Select highlighted thumbnail for deletion Press

MENU
Delete dialog displayed Select Yes to delete photograph Select No to return to playback mode without deleting photograph
SET
OF F
SELECT
Deleting Multiple Photographs

DELETE Using the Delete option in the playback 1 Selected Images menu, you can: All Images Folder delete selected photographs Print Set S delete all photographs in the curSELECT SET OF F rent folder delete folders delete print-order files created with the Print Set option (see Preparing Photographs for Printing, below) Note that once deleted, photographs can not be recovered. Be sure to back up any photographs you want to keep.
MENU
To select images for deletion:
73 Press multi selector left or right to highlight desired thumbnail. To view more thumbnails, rotate command dial.
DELETE
Playback: Deleting Multiple Photographs
Highlight thumbnail
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
DELETE
Press up or down
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Deleting Selected Photographs To delete selected photographs, highlight Selected Image in the Delete sub-menu and press the multi selector to the right. A menu of thumbnail images will be displayed.
DELETE 1 Selected Images All Images Folder Print Set
DELETE
Press multi selector up or down to select image for deletion (selected images marked by icon). Repeat steps 1 and 2 to select more images. To deselect thumbnail, highlight and press multi selector up or down. Confirmation dialog displayed. Select Yes to delete all selected images Select No to return to playback menu without deleting images
DELETE
Press
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Press right
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Photos hidden with the Hide Image option are not displayed in the thumbnail menu and can not be deleted. Thumbnails marked with a for deletion. icon are protected and can not be selected
Deleting All Photographs To delete all photographs in the currently selected folder or folders:
74
DELETE
NOV SHOW
1
1 S
List of folders displayed (folder NIKON is not available for deletion)

SET
Playback: Deleting Multiple Photographs
Press right
MENU
OF F
SELECT
DELETE
Highlight All Images
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
NOV SHOW
ERASE ALL IMAGES
Erasing all images ( excluded) No Yes
Press right
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Confirmation dialog displayed Select Yes to delete all images in current folder(s) (images that are hidden or protected will not be deleted) Select No to return to playback menu without deleting images
Highlight folder name
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
DELETE
Press right
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Confirmation dialog displayed Select Yes to delete selected folder Select No to return to playback menu without deleting folder
Deleting Folders To delete a folder and all images it contains:
1
1 S
If the selected folder contains hidden or protected images, the folder will not be deleted. Any images it contains that are neither hidden nor protected will, however, be deleted.
Highlight Folder
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Photos taken at a setting of Ultra HS are stored in folders with names of the form N_ followed by a three-digit number assigned automatically by the camera. As each series of photographs is stored in a separate folder, the Delete > Folder item can be used to delete all photographs in a series at once.
Selecting a Folder for Playback

The Folders item in the playback menu can be used to select for playback images in all folders, or images in a specific folder.
FOLDERS 1 Options All Folders NIKON NOV
Slide Show
The slide-show option in the playback menu allows unattended sequential playback. All images in the current folder that have not been hidden using Hide Image will be played back one after the other, with a pause between each image. Starting a Slide Show
SLIDE SHOW 1 Start Frame Intvl (Pause S
MENU
75
Playback: Slide Show
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
OF F
SELECT
SET
1
1 S
MENU
FOLDERS Options All Folders NIKON NOV
Highlight folder name. To view images in all folders, select All Folders
OF F
SELECT
SET
1
1 S
SLIDE SHOW Start Frame Intvl (Pause )
2000.04.25 14:20
NOV Most recent photograph in 0005.JPG selected folder displayed.
Highlight Start Press right

NORMAL
[
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
5/5]
Press right Photos taken at a setting of Ultra HS are stored in folders with names of the form N_ followed by a three-digit number assigned automatically by the camera. Photographs taken at this setting can be viewed by selecting the appropriate folder from the Folders menu.
Photographs displayed one by one in order recorded, starting from oldest photo. Photos hidden using Hide Image option will not be displayed.

Folder options
Any movies in the slide show will be played back as still images showing the movies first frame.
The following operations can be performed while a slide show Changing the Display Interval FRAME INTVL is in progress: When Frame Intvl is selected from the 2 s slide-show sub-menu or from the pause 3 s Operation Function 5 s screen, the menu of interval settings 10 s shown at right is displayed. To change the SET SELECT OF F length of time each image is displayed, Pause slide show highlight the desired setting and press the selector to the right. Press
MENU
76
Playback: Slide Show
Press
End slide show and return to single-image playback
Restarting a Slide Show PAUSE After the slide show comes to an end, or while the slide show is paused, the dialog shown at right will be displayed. Select Restart Restart to restart, or Frame Intvl to Frame Intvl SELECT SET OF F change the length of time each image is displayed. Press the MENU button to end the slide show and return to single-image playback.
MENU
The LCD monitor will turn off automatically if no operations are performed for thirty minutes while a slide show is in progress.
Owing to differences in the speed at which images can be read from the memory card, depending on the file size of the images in the slide show, the actual interval may differ from the value chosen in the interval menu.
Protecting Photographs from Deletion

The Protect option in the playback menu can be used to protect images from deletion. Protected files can not be deleted in single-image playback or from the Delete sub-menu, and have read-only status when viewed from a computer. Note that protected files will be deleted when the memory card is formatted. To change the protect status of photographs in the current folder, highlight Protect in the playback menu and press the multi selector to the right to display a menu of thumbnail images.
PLAY BACK MENU PROTECT
Select the desired images from the thumbnail menu.
77
PROTECT
Highlight thumbnail
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Press multi selector left or right to highlight desired thumbnail. To view more thumbnails, rotate command dial.
Playback: Protecting Photographs from Deletion
PROTECT
Press up or down
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Press multi selector up or down to select image for protection (protected images marked by icon). Repeat steps 1 and 2 to select more images. To deselect thumbnail, highlight and press multi selector up or down. To complete operation, press button
SET
Press right
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Press
Hiding Photographs During Playback

When creating a slide show or playing back photographs for an audience, you may want to use the Hide Image option to hide some of the photographs in the current folder. Once hidden, images are only visible in the Hide Image menu. They can not be deleted in single image playback or from the Delete sub-menu, and are treated as hidden files when the contents of the memory card are viewed from a computer. To change the hidden status of photographs in the current folder, highlight Hide Image in the playback menu and press the multi selector to the right to display a menu of thumbnail images.
PLAY BACK MENU HIDE IMAGE
78
HIDE IMAGE
Highlight thumbnail
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Playback: Hiding Photographs During Playback
HIDE IMAGE
Press
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Press multi selector up or down to select image to be hidden (hidden images marked by icon). Repeat steps 1 and 2 to select more images. To deselect thumbnail, highlight and press multi selector up or down. To complete operation, press button
Press
SET
Press right
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Preparing Photographs for Printing

The Print Set option in the playback menu can be used to create digital print orders that specify the photographs to be printed, the number of prints, and the information included with each print. This information is stored on the memory card in Digital Print Order Format (DPOF). The card can then be removed from the camera and inserted in a DPOF-compatible devicewhether your personal photo printer or a photofinishers print systemand the selected images printed directly from the card. To select images for printing, highlight Print Set in the playback menu and press the multi selector to the right to display a menu of thumbnail images.
PLAY BACK MENU PRINT
79
PRINT
Highlight thumbnail
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Playback: Preparing Photographs for Printing
PRINT
Images selected for printing are marked by icon
Press up
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
PRINT
Press up or down
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Use multi selector to change number of prints. Press up to increase (max. 9), down to decrease (to deselect, press down when number of prints is 1). Repeat steps 13 to select more images.
SET
Press right
SELECT
SET
QUAL
DONE
Press
To delete print-order files when they are no longer needed, select Print Set from the Delete sub-menu.
Menu of print set options displayed. To turn option on or off, highlight and press multi Info Date selector to right. Check Date to print date of recording on MENU OF F SET SELECT photo, Info to print shutter speed and aperture. Highlight Done and press multi selector to right to return to playback.
Done
PRINT SET
Camera Setup
This chapter details the options available in the setup menus for A-REC, M-REC, and PLAY. The setup menus are where you make changes to basic camera settings, and perform such tasks as formatting memory cards. For an overview of the options available in the setup menus, see Accessing Setup Options, below.
80
Camera Setup
Accessing Setup Options Using Folders Monitor Options Sound Settings Customizing Camera Controls
Auto Off File Numbering Formatting Memory Cards Confirming Shutter Release Date and Time Video Mode Language
Click
to go
Accessing Setup Options

Accessing the Setup Menus A-REC
M-REC, PLAY
81
WHITE BALANCE
1
1 2 S
Camera Setup: Accessing Setup Options
Press
SET-UP
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
Press
2
1 2
SET
SHOOTING MENU 1
Press
A A
PAG E 2
SELECT SET
MENU
SET-UP 1
Folders Monitor Options Controls 2 Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format S 1
Highlight S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
SET-UP 1
Press
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Setup Menu Options The options available in the setup menu depend on the operating mode. Option Folders Monitor Options Shutter Sound Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language
*
82
Camera Setup: Accessing Setup Options
Mode A-REC M-REC PLAY *
Description Select folder used to store images; create, rename, and delete folders Turn preview and review functions on or off; adjust monitor brightness and hue Control beep sound made by camera Choose function assigned to and buttons in M-REC mode; control what M-REC settings are memorized when camera is turned off Set length of time before monitor turns off automatically File-naming options for A-REC and M-REC Format memory cards for use in COOLPIX 990 Determine whether red-eye reduction lamp fires to confirm shutter release Set date and time Choose between NTSC and PAL standards for video output Choose language for menus and messages
Folders option for playback mode accessible from main playback menu
Using Folders
By default, photographs taken with the Folders FOLDERS Options 1 COOLPIX 990 are stored on the Monitor Options N I K O N Controls 2 Off memory card in a folder labeled NIKON. Auto Numbers Seq. CF Card Format To make it easier to locate photographs S SELECT SET OF F during playback, you can create additional folders and organize photographs by theme. The Folders option can be used to select the folder in which subsequent photographs will be stored, or to choose the folder from which photographs are played back. It also contains options for creating, renaming, and deleting folders.
MENU
Selecting a Folder To select the folder that will be used for playback or to store subsequent photographs in A-REC and M-REC:
83
Camera Setup: Using Folders
FOLDERS
Folders Options Monitor Options N I K O N Controls NOV 2 Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format S 1
Note: NOV is user-created folder included for illustrative purposes. For information on creating folders, see: Folder Options (following)
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
NOV NO
Folder name displayed in LCD monitor (folder NIKON not displayed)

2.7 P 1/60 F2.7 NORMAL [ 10]
Press The camera file system conforms to the Design Rule for Camera File Systems (DCF). Under this system, folder names consist of a three-digit folder number followed by the folder name (for example, 100NIKON). Each folder can hold a maximum of 999 images (it may hold less, depending on the size of the memory card and other factors). Should a folder fill up, another folder will automatically be created with the same name but a different folder number (e.g.,101NIKON). For most purposes, the folder number can be ignoredwhen viewed from the camera, folders with the same name but different folder numbers are the same folder. For example, the folders 100NIKON and 101NIKON are shown as a single folder (NIKON) with no folder number. Such folders will however appear as separate folders when the memory card is viewed on a computer (see the Nikon View 3 Reference Manual for details). If you have trouble locating a photo on a computer, you can play it back on the camera, where the full folder number and name are displayed in the photo information.
Folder Options The folder options menu can be used to create, rename, or delete folders.
3
OPTIONS 1 2 New Rename Delete 1 2 N O S
MENU
84
NEW Y Z V 0 1
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Press
SELECT SET OF F Creating new folders To create a new folder, highlight New in the folder options Until another folder is selected from the FOLDERS menu, all subsequent photographs will be stored in the new folder. menu and press the multi selector to the right.
Highlight last letter and press multi selector to right to register new folder and exit menu. Press MENU button to exit without creating new folder.
OPTIONS 1 2 New Rename Delete 1 2 L M N O P OF F I
NEW
S
MENU
S
SET
OF F
SELECT
Press
Renaming folders To rename an existing folder, highlight Rename in the folder options menu and press the multi selector to the right. A list of user-created folders will appear.
SET
MENU
SELECT
OPTIONS
RENAME 1 2 NOV SHOW
Name and register the new folder.
1 2
New Rename Delete
1
1 2 N S
NEW G H I J K K O N
S
MENU
S
SET
OF F
SELECT
Press
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Highlight letter
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Highlight the folder you want to rename and press the multi selector to the right.
RENAME RENAME 1 2 Q R S T U OF F H O W
2
1 2 N S
NEW H I J K L K O N
Edit letter
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Folder name can include uppercase letters (AZ), numbers, and spaces. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create new five-letter folder name.
1 2
NOV SHOW
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Press
MENU
SELECT
SET
Rename the folder as described in steps 13 of Creating new folders, above.
Deleting folders To delete an existing folder, highlight Delete in the folder op- Photos taken at a setting of Ultra HS are stored in folders with names of tions menu and press the multi selector to the right. A list of the form N_ followed by a three-digit number assigned automatically by the camera. As each series of photographs is stored in a separate folder, user-created folders will appear.
OPTIONS 1 2 New Rename Delete
DELETE
85
NOV SHOW
the Folder Options > Delete item can be used to delete all photographs in a series at once.
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Press
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Select a folder for deletion.
DELETE
NOV SHOW
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
DELETE
Press
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Confirmation dialog appears Select Yes to delete folder Select No to return to previous menu without deleting folder
If the selected folder contains hidden or protected images, the folder will not be deleted. Any images it contains that are neither hidden nor protected will, however, be deleted.
Monitor Options
The Monitor Options item in the setup menu controls the review function and monitor brightness and hue (tone).
MONITOR OPTIONS
Folders Monitor Options Display Mode Controls 2 Auto Off Brightness Seq. Numbers Hue CF Card Format S 1
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Display Mode (M-REC Only) This option controls the review function and determines when the LCD monitor comes on automatically in M-REC mode.
DISPLAY MODE 1 2 ON Review Only Preview Only Monitor Off
Brightness BRIGHTNESS This option controls the brightness of the 1 LCD monitor. Use the multi selector to 2 increase or decrease brightness by moving the arrow at the right side of the dis- S SELECT SET OF F play up or down. When you have adjusted brightness to your satisfaction, press the multi selector to the right to put the change into effect. Changes made in one operating mode (A-REC, M-REC, or PLAY) apply simultaneously to the other two.
MENU
86
Camera Setup: Monitor Options
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Option ON Review Only Preview Only Monitor Off
Description LCD monitor comes on when camera is turned on; photographs are displayed in LCD monitor after shooting LCD monitor only comes on to display photographs immediately after shooting LCD monitor comes on when camera is turned on, but photographs are not displayed in LCD monitor after shooting LCD monitor remains off when camera is turned on; photographs are not displayed in monitor after shooting
Hue HUE This option controls the hue (tone) of 1 the LCD monitor. Use the multi selector 2 to change monitor hue by moving the arrow at the right side of the display up or S SELECT SET OF F down. When you have adjusted settings to your satisfaction, press the multi selector to the right to put the change into effect. Changes made in one operating mode (A-REC, M-REC, or PLAY) apply simultaneously to the other two.
MENU

Display mode and battery life
Increasing LCD brightness also increases the brightness of images output on a television set when the camera is connected to a television or VCR. Under normal viewing conditions, this may make the image on the television appear slightly too bright, or washed out.
Sound Settings
The Shutter Sound sub-menu controls the beep made by the cameras speaker.
SHUTTER SOUND
Customizing Camera Controls

1 2 Shutter Sound ON Shot Confirm Lamp OFF Date Video Mode Language
87
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Option
Description Camera beeps once to confirm that: mode dial has been turned to A-REC or MREC from OFF or PLAY picture has been taken memory card has been inserted in camera lens converter or manual focus modes have been selected delete, hide, or protect operations have been completed ON has been chosen from Shutter Sound sub-menu Camera beeps twice to warn that: camera not in focus when shutter-release button pressed halfway (single AF only) memory card full or not inserted battery exhausted
The options in the Controls sub-menu determine what M-REC settings are cleared when the camera is turned off, and what functions are assigned to the (FUNC. 1) and (FUNC. 2) buttons in M-REC mode.
CONTROLS
Camera Setup: Customizing Camera Controls
Folders Monitor Options Controls Memorize 2 Auto Off Func.1 Seq. Numbers Func.2 CF Card Format S 1
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
ON
Memorize MEMORIZE The Memorize menu determines what 1 Mode M-REC settings remain in effect when the 2 camera is turned off. If an item is checked Done in this menu, the setting in effect at the S BK SELECT OF F time the camera is turned off is restored the next time the mode dial is turned to M-REC.
MENU
SET
Option Mode
Setting memorized Exposure mode Focus mode Flash setting Exposure compensation value
OFF
Camera speaker off
To check an item, or to remove a check mark from an item, highlight the item and press the multi selector to the right. Highlight Done and press the multi selector to the right to put the changes into effect.
The following functions can be assigned to either button: Function Buttons FUNC. 1 By default, the (FUNC.1 ) controls Mode Option Function Assigned 1 exposure mode, the (FUNC. 2) but2 Mode Exposure mode White Balance ton exposure compensation. Using the Focus mode/manual focus (functions in FUNC 1 and FUNC 2 menus, you can S Metering SELECT SET OF F same way as button) assign different functions to these buttons in M-REC mode. For example, assigning white balance or meFlash setting/sensitivity (functions in same button) way as tering to either button makes it possible to adjust these settings without using the menus. Alternatively, you can assign the White balance (press while turning comfunctions of the or buttons to the FUNC. 1 or mand dial to select white-balance program; FUNC. 2 buttons, putting these functions where they can be while button is pressed, W-BAL indicator and white-balance program are displayed in easily adjusted. White control panel shutter-speed/aperture Balance display as follows: Pre = Preset [restores last recorded preset white value], Sun = Fine, Inc = Incandescent, Flu = Fluorescent, Clo = Cloudy, Fla = Flash, no display = Auto) For more information on: Exposure compensation
MENU
88
Camera Setup: Customizing Camera Controls
Exposure mode Focus Flash settings Sensitivity White balance
Metering
Metering method (press while turning command dial to select metering method)
Exposure compensation Metering Exposure options
Exposure mode can not be used unless Mode is assigned to one of the two buttons. If neither button is assigned the exposure compensation function, exposure compensation can only be adjusted using the Exp. +/ item in the M-REC EXPOSURE OPTIONS sub-menu.
Auto Off
When operated on battery power, the camera enters sleep mode if no operations are performed for thirty seconds (three minutes when menus are displayed). The time limit for sleep mode can be chosen from the Auto Off menu.
AUTO OFF
File Numbering
MENU
89
Photographs taken with the COOLPIX Folders SEQ. NUMBERS 1 990 are stored as image files. Each file is Monitor Options Controls 2 30S Off assigned a name consisting of DSCN 2 Auto Numbers 1M Seq. ON 5M OFF CF Card Format S plus a four-digit number assigned auto30M Reset SELECT SET SELECT SET OF F OF F matically by the camera. Although no two photographs in a single folder will have the same file name, photographs in different folders may share the same name, causThe time limit for playback is independent of the time limit for ing confusion when the files are copied to a computer. This A-REC and M-REC, and is set by choosing Auto Off from the can be prevented using the options in the Seq. Numbers subplayback setup menu. The time limit for A-REC and M-REC menu. can be set by choosing Auto Off from either of the A-REC or Option Description M-REC setup menus.
MENU
Camera Setup: File Numbering
ON
When new folder is created, numbering will continue from last number used. All files will have unique names. When new folder is created, numbering will begin from 0001. Files in different folders may have same name. Resets sequential numbering to lowest number available on card
OFF
In sleep mode, all camera functions are deactivated and the camera itself is effectively off, consuming almost no power. The camera can be reactivated by pressing the MONITOR button or by pressing the shutter-release button halfway. While the camera is being powered by the AC adapter (available separately), the camera will remain on for thirty minutes if no operations are performed, regardless of the setting in the Auto Off menu. If the camera is connected to a television set, the television display will remain on indefinitely after the LCD monitor has turned off.
Reset
Formatting Memory Cards
Confirming Shutter Release

SHOT CONFIRM LAMP
90
Memory cards can be formatted using the CF Card Format The red-eye reduction lamp next to the option in the setup menu for each mode. To format a memory viewfinder can be set to provide visual card: confirmation of shutter release using the Shot Confirm Lamp item in the SET-UP 1 1 Folders M-REC setup menu. 1 Monitor Options
2 S Controls Auto Off Seq. Numbers CF Card Format
Camera Setup: Confirming Shutter Release
1 2
Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp ON Date OFF Video Mode Language
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Option
SET
Description Red-eye reduction lamp does not fire when shutter is released (default) Red-eye reduction lamp fires when shutter is released in A-REC or M-REC mode
Highlight CF Card Format
MENU
OF F
SELECT
OFF
Confirmation dialog displayed. Select Format or No (note that selecting Format begins formatting immediately, permanently deleting all data on card) No Return to setup menu without formatting card
2
1 2 S
ON
Press Format
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Formatting in progress. Do not remove card from camera until formatting is complete. All data on card will be permanently deleted.
Date and Time

The Date option can be used to set the cameras clock-calendar. For more information on setting the date and time, see First Steps: Setting the Time and Date.
DATE
Language
1 2 Y M D
91
2000 . 01 . 01 00 : 00
S
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Video Mode
The Video Mode sub-menu is used to select the video standard used when the camera is connected to a television set or video recorder. Option NTSC
VIDEO MODE
The Language option in the M-REC and playback setup menus is used to choose the language for menus and messages displayed by the camera. For more information on choosing a language, see First Steps: Choosing a Language.
LANGUAGE
Camera Setup: Language
1 2
Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language
D E F J
SET
MENU
OF F
SELECT
1 2
Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode NTSC Language PAL
MENU
OF F
SELECT
SET
Description Use when connecting to NTSC devices Use when connecting to PAL devices. Note that when this standard is selected, LCD monitor will turn off when video cable is connected.
PAL

Setting the time and date Connecting the camera to a TV or VCR

Choosing a language
Connections
This chapter provides information on connecting your camera to a computer and to a television or videocassette recorder (VCR).
92
Connections
Connecting to a Television or VCR Connecting to a Computer
Click
to go
Connecting to a Television or VCR

Using the EG-900 video cable provided with your camera, you can connect your camera to a television or VCR to view photos on the television screen.
Connect the AC adapter (available separately) if you want the television to continue displaying images after the camera has entered sleep mode and the LCD monitor has turned off. Camera settings and photo info will not be displayed on the television screen when the LCD monitor is off. The Video Mode items in the M-REC and playback setup menus offer a choice of NTSC or PAL standards for video output. Select a standard that matches that used in your television set. Note that when the PAL video standard is selected, the LCD monitor will turn off when the camera is connected to a video device (while recording is taking place at CONTINUOUS settings of Ultra HS or Movie, however, the LCD monitor will be used for display and video output will be suspended).
93
Connections: Connecting to a Television or VCR
1 Insert the black plug on the EG-900

into the cameras video-out connector.
2 Connect the yellow plug to the videoin jack on the television or VCR.
3 Tune the television to the video channel. 4 Turn the mode dial to A-REC, M-REC, or PLAY. The television will mirror the image displayed in the cameras LCD monitor.

Movies can not be played back on a television set. If you choose to play a movie back while the camera is connected to a TV or VCR, the movie will be displayed on the cameras LCD monitor. Video mode Continuous settings
Connecting to a Computer
Photographs taken with the COOLPIX 990 can be viewed on your computer monitor or copied to disk for long-term storage or editing. You can connect your camera directly to your computer via the UC-E1 Universal Serial Bus (USB) or the optional SC-EW3/SC-EM3 serial cables and browse the contents of the memory card using the Nikon View software provided with your camera, or insert the memory card in the computers card slot or card drive, where it will function as a disk. Using Nikon View Before you start Before using Nikon View, read the documentation provided. The manuals for Nikon View are divided into two parts, both on the reference CD provided with your camera: Quick Start Guide (HTML) This guide, which can be viewed with Internet Explorer version 3.0 or later, or with Netscape Navigator version 3.0 or later, covers installation. To view: insert the reference CD into the CD-ROM drive double-click the QKSTART.html icon in the root directory of the CD
Reference Manual (PDF) The reference CD includes separate reference manuals for Macintosh and Windows versions of Nikon View. These manuals provide complete operating instructions. Before they can be viewed, you will need to install Adobe Acrobat Reader version 4.0 or later. Installers for six language versions may be found on the reference CD; to install, open the folder for the language of your choice and double-click the installer icon. Once installation is complete, you can view the on-line documentation by clicking the INDEX.pdf icon in the root directory of the reference CD. After reading the documentation, install Nikon View as instructed in the Quick Start Guide. You are now ready to connect the camera to your computer.
94
Connections: Connecting to a Computer
If you are unable to view the Quick Start Guide, refer to the README.txt text file in the root directory of the reference CD. This file provides system requirements and basic installation instructions.
Connecting your camera to a computer The COOLPIX 990 is equipped with USB and serial ports. Follow the steps below to connect your camera to an IBMcompatible (PC) or Macintosh computer.
USB Serial (PC) Serial (Macintosh)
3 Turn the camera on. The borders of the shutter-speed/aperture display in the control panel will light up ( ). The LCD monitor, and all indicators apart from the battery indicator, will be off, and all camera functions will be disabled. Normal functioning will be restored when the cable is unplugged. For information on the operations that can be performed while the camera is connected to your computer, see the Nikon View Reference Manual for your platform.
95
Connect UC-E1USB cable to camera USB/ serial connector
Connect SC-EW3 serial cable to camera USB/serial connector
Connect SC-EM3 serial cable to camera USB/serial connector
Connect cable to computer USB connector
Connect cable to computer serial port
Connect cable to computer modem or printer port
While data are being transferred between the camera and your computer, the borders of the shutter-speed/aperture display in the control panel will flash on and off in sequence to form a marching ants marquee ( ). Do not unplug the serial or USB cables while data transfer is in progress. Do not use Nikon View with the camera while battery power is low or the batteries are exhausted. If the battery indicator changes to low or starts to flash while the camera and computer are connected, wait for the borders of the number display to stop flashing, then disconnect the camera and replace the batteries or connect the EH-31 AC adapter (sold separately).
Using a PCMCIA card slot Insert the memory card in the PC Both the camera and the computer can be on when the cables are con- 1 card adapter. nected or disconnected, but do not disconnect the cable while data transfer is in progress. To users of IBM-compatible computers: The SC-EW3 serial cable (available separately) is for connection to a male 9-pin serial connector, standard on many IBM compatibles. Your PC may however use a different type of serial connector, in which case you will need to buy an adapter before you will be able to connect the cable.
96
2 Insert the adapter into your computers PC card slot as

instructed in the documentation provided with your computer or PC card drive.
3 The card will now function as a disk.
Reading Photographs from Memory Cards To read photographs directly from the cameras memory card, you will need: a PC or Macintosh computer, and either a CF card reader or, if your computer is equipped with a PCMCIA Type II or Type III card slot, an EC-AD1 PC-card adapter (available separately from Nikon). Using a CF card reader The steps involved in connecting a CF card reader and inserting memory cards are covered in the documentation provided with your card reader. Once the card has been inserted, it will function as a disk, as described in Step 3 of Using a PCMCIA card slot, below.
Photographs may be found in the folder DCIM in the cards root directory, stored in the folder shown in the playback mode information display. Photos (files with the extensions .JPG or .TIF) can be viewed in any application that supports JPEG and TIFF formats. Movies (.MOV) can be played back in any application that supports the QuickTime format.
The COOLPIX 990 can play back only images that conform to the format used by the COOLPIX 950, 900s, 900, 800, and 700 digital cameras. It may not be able to display files created on a computer or by another make of camera. It may also not be able to display files that have been renamed or moved to a different folder on the memory card using a computer.
info.txt
Each camera-created folder on the memory card contains a text file (info.txt) that provides photo information for each image in memory. This file can be viewed using a text browser such as SimpleText or Notepad. The file lists the images in the order recorded and gives the following information for each image: Image file name and type Camera type Firmware version Metering method Exposure mode Shutter speed Aperture Exposure compensation Focal length Focus mode or manual focus distance Flash status Image adjustment setting Sensitivity (ISO equivalency) White balance Sharpening Digital zoom Lens converter option File size (in kilobytes) The information for each image is followed by a blank line. You may need to install an ATA RAM-card driver before you will be able to read memory cards on a computer running Windows 3.1. Nikon View can be used to browse photographs on a memory card. See the Nikon View Reference Manual for details.
97
The info.txt file can not be viewed using Nikon View.
Technical Notes
Caring for Your Camera
98
This chapter covers: camera care and storage Cleaning the accessories provided with your camera or available Lens/ for separate purchase view troubleshooting hints and tips finder product specifications LCD monitor Body
Technical Notes: Caring for Your Camera
Use blower to remove dirt or dust. Wipe carefully with soft cloth to remove fingerprints or other stains. Do not touch with fingers. Clean with soft, dry cloth Clean with damp cloth; dry immediately
Do not use alcohol, thinner, or other volatile cleaners.
Caring for Your Camera Accessories Troubleshooting Specifications
Storage If you are not going to use the camera for a long period of time, remove the batteries before putting the camera away. Store with the lens rotated to a position adjacent to the control panel, as shown at right. Do not store your camera in locations that: are poorly ventilated or damp are next to equipment that produces strong magnetic fields, such as televisions or radios are hotter than 50C (122F) or colder than 10C (14F) have a humidity of over 60 %.
Click
to go
Accessories
Whats in the Box Purchasers of the COOLPIX 990 should find that the package contains the items listed below. Should you notice that any item is missing or damaged, contact your retailer as soon as possible. COOLPIX 990 digital camera (1) Lens cap (1) Compact flashmemory card (1) AA (LR6) alkaline batteries (4) UC-E1 USB cable (1) EG-900 video cable (1) Software CD-ROM (1) containing Nikon View browser software Reference CD-ROM (1) containing Guide to Digital Photography (electronic edition), Nikon View Reference Manual, Quick Start Guide, and Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 software Guide to Digital Photography (print edition) Fast Track Guide/For Your Safety Menu Guide AN-E990 camera strap (1) Lens-cap string (1)
Guide to Digital Photography
Optional Accessories At the time this manual was written, the following optional accessories were available for the COOLPIX 990. Contact your local Nikon representative or retailer for details. Lens converters FC-E8 fisheye lens converter WC-E24/WC-E63 wideangle lens converters TC-E2 2 telephoto lens converter TC-E3ED 3 telephoto lens converter Slide-copying adapter ES-E28 Slide Copy Adapter Remote release cable MC-EU1 Remote Cord AC adapter EH-31 AC adapter Carrying case CS-E990 Soft Case Flash accessories SK-E900 Multi-Flash Bracket Unit TTL Multi-Flash Adapter AS-10 Multi-Flash Sync Cord SC-18/ SC-19 CompactFlash memory cards and adapters 64 MB and 96 MB Nikon CF memory cards EC-AD1 PC-card adapter Serial cables SC-EW3 serial cable for PC/AT computers SC-EM3 serial cable for Macintosh computers
99
Technical Notes: Accessories
FAST TRACK GUIDE
Standard accessories may differ in each country or area. Some of the optional accessories listed above at right may not be immediately available.
In addition to the CompactFlash memory cards listed above, the following cards have been tested and approved for use in the COOLPIX 990: SanDisk SDCFB series 48, 64, and 96 Lexar Media 8 USB series CF008, CF016, CF032, CF048, and CF064 Operation is not guaranteed with other cards. For more details on the above cards, please contact the respective company.
Troubleshooting
Check the list below before consulting your retailer or Nikon representative. Click the page numbers in the rightmost column for more information on how to solve the problems listed. Problem Possible cause Camera is off Batteries are not correctly inserted or battery-chamber cover is not fully closed Batteries are dead AC adapter (available separately) is not properly connected Monitor is off. Press MONITOR button. Monitor Off selected in Display Mode sub-menu of M-REC setup menu Indicators are hidden. Press MONITOR button until indicators are displayed. Slide show is in progress Display options require adjustment Monitor is dirty 21 14
Problem
Possible cause Mode dial is not set to A-REC or 21 M-REC Batteries are exhausted 14 AF lamp flickers: camera unable to 34 focus Flash lamp flickers: flash is charging 25 Number of exposures remaining in 21 control panel shows zero: not enough memory remaining Message CARD IS NOT FOR102 MATTED appears in LCD monitor: card not correctly formatted Message NO CARD PRESENT 16 appears in LCD monitor: no memory card inserted in camera 43
100
Technical Notes:Troubleshooting
Control panel display is blank
No photo taken when shutter-release button fully pressed
14
15 86
LCD monitor is blank
No indicators appear in LCD monitor LCD monitor is hard to read
15
75 86 98
Shutter-speed indicator in LCD monitor blinks: shutter speed too low or too high Photos are Aperture indicator in LCD moniover- or undertor blinks: aperture too wide or too small exposed Subject outside of flash range Exposure compensation too high or too low
43
39
Problem
Possible cause Subject not in focus area AF lamp flickers: camera unable to focus Manual focus distance does not match distance to subject Flash is set to (flash cancel) Internal flash set to off in M-REC SPEEDLIGHT OPT > Speedlight Cntrl sub-menu Battery level is low Focus mode is set to (infinity) Camera is set to Continuous, Multi-shot 16, VGA Sequence, Ultra HS, or Movie Best-shot selection (BSS) is on Setting other than Normal is selected in LENS sub-menu EXPOSURE OPTIONS > AE-Lock option is on 35 34 47 31 64
Problem
Possible cause Card not correctly inserted in card reader or adapter, or adapter not correctly inserted in computer ATA RAM-drivers not installed on computer running Windows 3.1 Application does not support JPEG, TIFF, or QuickTime formats Camera not correctly connected to computer 96
101
Photos not in focus
Computer can not read files on memory card
Flash does not fire
14 33 52
Nikon View displays communication error
95
54 66 59 93 93 91 96
Camera not properly connected Television does Television not tuned to video not mirror channel image in LCD Video Mode setting does not monitor match television video standard Photos can not Photos have been overwritten or be played back renamed by computer
Error Messages When a problem occurs with the memory card or with the cameras internal programming or circuitry, an error message will be displayed superimposed on the image in the LCD monitor. Message Control Panel Problem Solution Turn camera off and confirm that memory card is correctly inserted
102
Technical Notes: Caring for Your Camera
NO CARD PRESENT
Camera can not detect memory card
16
THIS CARD CANNOT BE USED
Error accessing memory card
Use approved memory card
99
CARD IS NOT FORMATTED FORMAT NO
Card has not been formatted for use in COOLPIX 990
Using multi selector, highlight FORMAT and press multi selector to right to format memory card, or turn camera off and replace card
16
OUT OF MEMORY CARD IS FULL
Reduce image quality or image size Insufficient memory to record further Delete photographs from card photographs at current settings Insert new card Create new folder Error encountered while saving photo Set Seq. Numbers in A-REC or or camera has run out of folder or M-REC setup menu to OFF file numbers Reformat memory card
37 73 16 84 89 90
IMAGE CANNOT BE SAVED
Message
Control Panel
Problem Folder selected in playback mode contains no images
Solution To play photos back, select folder containing images from playback Folders menu To play photos back, select another folder or use Hide Image to change hidden status of images in current folder
103
CARD CONTAINS NO IMAGES
75
ALL IMAGES ARE HIDDEN
All images in current folder are hidden
78
FILE CONTAINS NO IMAGE DATA
File created on computer or by different make of camera
Delete file Reformat memory card
72 90
THE FOLDER CANNOT BE DELETED
Folder contains hidden or protected photos
Folder can only be deleted if all images it contains are neither protected nor hidden Turn camera off, unplug optional AC adapter (if using), open and close battery-chamber cover, and turn camera on. If message persists, contact retailer or Nikon representative.
74
SYSTEM ERROR
Error has occurred in cameras internal circuitry
14
Specifications
Type CCD Image size Digital camera /1.8 high-density CCD Total number of pixels: 3.34 million Selectable from: 2,048 1,536 pixels XGA (1,024 768 pixels) VGA (640 480 pixels) 3 : 2 (2,048 1,360 pixels) 3 Zoom-Nikkor f = 8 24 mm [35 mm (135) format equivalent to 38 115 mm]/F 2.5 4 with macro Nine elements in eight groups, all elements made of environmentally-friendly glass Nikon Super Integrated Coating (SIC) applied Glass-molded aspherical lens element included Contrast-detect TTL autofocus with 4,896step autofocus control including macro range Five-area multi AF or spot AF available Continuous autofocus (when using LCD monitor) Single autofocus (LCD monitor off and/or single autofocus selected in M-REC mode) Manual (fifty steps from 2 cm/0.8 with Focus Confirmation indication) 30 cm (11.8) Macro mode: 2 cm (0.8)
1
Optical viewfinder Magnification Frame coverage Diopter adjustment LCD monitor Frame coverage Auto-off mode Storage System Media Shooting modes
Real-image zoom viewfinder with LED indication 0.4 1.1 ~85 % 2 +1 DP 1.8, 110,000-dot, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness and hue adjustment ~97 % (through/freeze image) 30 sec.; can also be set manually (1/5/30 min.) Digitally stored (uncompressed TIFF or compressed JPEG) CompactFlash (CF) card Fully-automatic ([A]-REC) mode Custom ([M]-REC) mode (three combinations of mode settings can be memorized)
104
Technical Notes: Specifications
Lens
Autofocus
Focus modes
Shooting distance
The LCD monitor may contain a few pixels that are always lit or that do not light. This is common to all LCD displays and does not indicate a malfunction. The monitor is lit by a fluorescent backlight. Should the display begin to dim or flicker, contact your Nikon service representative.
Shooting menu
White balance Exposure metering Continuous Best-Shot Selector (BSS) Converters Image adjustment (Auto, Normal, More Contrast, Less Contrast, Lighten, Darken, Monochrome) Image Sharpening Digital zoom (up to 4) Single Continuous Multi-shot 16 (sixteen frames 1/16 in size) VGA Sequence Ultra High-speed Continuous (up to eighty QVGA-size images at ~30 fps) Movie (up to 40 sec. of QVGA-size frames at 15 fps
Exposure Exposure modes: Programmed Auto with Flexible Program Shutter-Priority Auto Aperture-Priority Auto Manual Exposure Compensation (2.0 EV in 1/3EV steps) Auto Exposure Bracketing (five steps within 2/3 EV
s s s s
105
Control
Capture modes
Range (ISO 100 equivalent) Sensitivity White balance
EV 2 +15.5 (W) EV 0.8 +16.7 (T) ISO equivalent 100, 200, 400, Auto; can be controlled in any exposure mode Matrix Auto White Balance with TTL control Five-mode Manual with fine tuning (Fine, Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy, Speedlight) Preset 10 sec. or 3 sec. duration 9/30 (at ISO 100, m/ft) Sensor flash system Auto Flash Flash Cancel (off) Anytime Flash (fill-flash) Slow Sync Red-Eye Reduction
Exposure metering Four-mode TTL metering 256-segment Matrix Center-Weighted Spot AF-spot Self-timer Built-in Speedlight Guide number Flash control
Modes
Shutter Speed Aperture Range
Mechanical and charge-coupled electronic shutter 8 1/1000 sec., Bulb Seven-blade iris diaphragm 3 EV in 1/3-EV steps Flash modes
External Speedlight
Multi-flash sync terminal connects to external Nikon Speedlight SB-28/28DX/26/25/24/22s through the Multi-Flash Bracket Unit SK-E900; built-in Speedlight can be canceled when using external Speedlight(s) Single frame Thumbnail (four or nine segments) Slide show Zoom playback (up to 4)
Interface Platform Windows OS Windows 95/98/98SE, NT4.0, Windows 2000 or later (optional SC-EW3 serial cable required) Macintosh OS Mac OS 8.1 or later (optional SC-EM3 serial cable required) Only built-in serial ports are supported
106
Serial
Playback Playback menu
Video output I/O terminals
NTSC or PAL (selectable) Power input Video output Digital output terminal (USB/Serial) Sync terminal for external Speedlight
Delete function Attributes Interface
Deletes all or selected frames Hide and protect attributes can be set for each image USB or serial interface (Windows: 115kbps, Macintosh: 230kbps) Platform Windows OS Windows 98/98SE, Windows 2000 or later pre-installed model CPU MMX Pentium or later Macintosh OS Mac OS 8.1 or later (8.5 or later recommended) Only built-in USB ports are supported Models iMac, iBook, Power Macintosh G3 (Blue/ White) or Power Mac G4 or later (In case of iMac with Mac OS 8.1, Mac OS ROM must be updated by iMac update)
Power requirements
Four 1.5 V LR6 (alkaline AA [LR40]) batteries; 1.5 V FR6 lithium, 1.2 V Ni-MH or 1.2 V NiCd AA-size batteries can also be used AC adapter (optional) Approx. 1.5 hrs. when using LCD monitor and four 1.5 V LR6 [alkaline AA (L40)] batteries at normal temperature (20C/68F) Temperature: 0 40C (32 104F) Humidity: under 85% (no condensation) Approx. 149 79 38 mm (5.9 3.1 1.5) 390 g (13.8 oz) without batteries
Battery life
USB
Operating environment Dimensions (W H D) Weight

Nikon Guide To Digital Photography

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1

Guide to Digital Photography

Product Documentation First Steps Basic Photography Advanced Photography Playback

Camera Setup Connections Technical Notes

Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

MODE (FUNC 1) button Control panel MENU button MONITOR button

Shutter-release button Mode dial

Lens Viewfinder Built-in flash Red-eye reduction lamp

Photocell Connector for external flash Diopter-adjustment dial

Flash-ready lamp Autofocus lamp

Focus mode (Delete) button

Through the Viewfinder

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

Manual focus indicator

Use this area to frame photographs at ranges of less than 90 cm (1 yd)

Use the diopter-adjustment dial to adjust viewfinder focus.

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

A-REC, M-REC, PLAY

M-REC SHOOTING PLAY

PLAY BACK Playback options

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

Making a selection Use the multi selector to make a selection.

Highlight menu item

S A Make selection MENU

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

Stop when desired option is displayed

Rotate command dial

Position cursor in main menu

Highlight page tab

Highlight page number (S for SET-UP menu)

Display selected page

The A-REC Menu

OPTIONS New Rename

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

RENAME NOV SHOW

SHOW deleting folder? No Yes

CF CARD FORMAT WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format

The M-REC Menu, Page 1

The M-REC Menu, Page 2

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

RESET ALL Reset all settings to default values?

METERING Matrix Spot Center-Weight ed Spot AF Area

Auto Manual Off

LENS Normal Wide Adapter Telephoto 1 Telephoto 2 Fisheye 1 Fisheye 2

SPEEDLIGHT OPT. Variable Power Speedlight Cntrl

Int & Ext Active Int Flash ble Power Off

The M-REC Set-up Menu

Display Mode Brightness Hue

DISPLAY MODE ON Review Only Preview Only Monitor Off

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990

RENAME NOV SHOW

OPTIONS New Rename Delete

Memorize Func.1 Func.2

Shutter Sound Shot Confirm Lamp Date Video Mode Language

White Balance Metering FUNC. 2 Mode

SHOW deleting folder? No Yes

White Balance Metering

WARNING! All images will be deleted! No Format

The Playback Menu

The Playback Set-up Menu

First Steps: Getting to Know the COOLPIX 990